Joe Dean, a 32-year-old Yorkshireman and former Morrisons delivery driver, secured the final spot in the 154th Open Championship on Monday by winning an 18-hole shootout at Royal Birkdale. Dean shot a 68, edging Andrew Wilson by one shot, with his fiancee Emily on the bag as caddie. The R&A introduced the last-chance qualifier for the first time, offering a single place among 12 players.
Dramatic finish at Birkdale
Dean led by three shots after an eagle at the 14th, but a three-putt and a dropped shot at the 15th tightened the contest. He held his nerve with a par at the 18th, including a greenside bunker shot and a 4ft putt. Aldrich Potgieter could have forced a playoff but bogeyed the last. Dean's 68 was the lowest round of the day.
From Morrisons van to Open stage
Dean worked as a delivery driver for Morrisons for four years during Covid, playing mini-tours on the side. He regained his DP World Tour card in November 2023 and earned a £170,000 cheque for second place at the Kenya Open in February 2024. "I never looked back after that," he said. He has made the cut in his two previous Open appearances, including at Birkdale in 2017.
Stress and support
Dean admitted feeling stress from the 13th hole, saying, "It only takes one bounce or one bit of wind to ruin your day." His fiancee Emily caddied for him; the couple marry next Tuesday. Dean joked about sleeping in his car but is now focused on the Open. The qualifier field included three amateurs and YouTube golfer Wesley Bryan, who shot 74 to finish 10th.
