Joe Dean secured a spot in the 154th Open Championship by winning the inaugural Last-Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale on Monday. The 32-year-old from Sheffield posted a two-under 68 to edge countryman Andrew Wilson.
Dean birdied twice and eagled once during his round. He advanced from a pot bunker on the 18th hole to claim victory in the stroke-play event.
The Sheffield native previously drove a delivery truck for a grocery chain before earning his DP World Tour card in 2024. He finished runner-up at the Kenya Open that year and placed 37th in the Race to Dubai standings.
Dean will marry his caddie and fiancée Emily Lyle on Tuesday. Lyle, an accomplished amateur, rejoined his bag last month at the KLM Open where the pair tied for third.
