England’s Joe Dean dramatically secured the final spot in this year’s Open on Monday, winning the inaugural "Last Chance Qualifier" at Royal Birkdale with a superb 2-under 68.
The 32-year-old, who once delivered groceries to make ends meet, will now prepare for golf’s oldest major.
Dean’s victory came down to the wire. Clinging to a one-shot lead on the 18th hole, his ball found a pot bunker. He expertly splashed out to within three feet, sinking the putt to secure his place. The substantial grandstands, which were two-thirds full, erupted in applause – a sound Dean hopes to hear again on the weekend.
His triumph saw him finish one shot ahead of Andrew Wilson. Aldrich Potgieter, who bogeyed the final hole to finish two shots back, remains the first alternate, hoping for a late withdrawal.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) introduced this final qualifier to offer 12 players a last opportunity to join the field, while also providing spectators at Royal Birkdale with more than just practice rounds.
Dean noted the positive impact: "To see the amount of people out here today, it's been great," he said. "We stopped at a local Premier Inn and we had a few people ask if we were playing in the qualifier today, which obviously you don't usually get. Yeah, I think it has drawn a lot more people."
Dean, who will be playing in his third British Open, having last competed at Royal Troon in 2024, had missed out on a qualifier two weeks prior.
His back nine performance proved decisive, highlighted by a crucial 6-iron on the par-5 14th that rode the wind to within four feet of the pin. "Probably the best 6-iron I’ve ever hit," he remarked.
His Open debut was at Royal Birkdale in 2017, where he tied for 70th. Currently ranked 268th in the world and 67th in the Race to Dubai, Dean also has a wedding scheduled for Tuesday.
"It was cheaper," he quipped about the unusual timing.
Beyond the golf course, Dean is unique in the field for his past role delivering groceries. He took on the part-time job during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, continuing for nearly four years to fund his career when he lacked a tour card.
"I had a great time doing it," Dean reflected. "Met some really good friends and grounded me really well."
While Wilson birdied the 17th to keep his hopes alive, he ultimately settled for a par. Potgieter’s chances faded with a long flip wedge on the 17th and an unfortunate bounce into a pot bunker on the 18th.
He now faces another "last chance”, needing a withdrawal before Thursday to make the main draw.
