Robert Jan Derksen was born on January 3rd, 1974 in Nijmegen, Holland. He started playing golf at the age of 14 and won four Dutch amateur titles in a row (93 - 96). Derksen turned pro in 1996 and won a place on the European Tour in 1998. He has won two tournaments since.

Derksen has twice lost his card but on both occasions was back on tour after less than a year away. In 2003 he made his breakthrough holding off Ernie Els to win the Dubai Desert Classic. This win helped him finish 40th on the order of merit. Two years later he claimed his second victory in Madeira.