ESPN Golf: Former Grocery Delivery Driver Joe Dean Claims Final Spot at The Open

From Grocery Deliveries to The Open

English golfer Joe Dean shot a 2-under 68 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club on Monday to win the inaugural Last Chance Qualifier, claiming the 156th and final spot in the 154th Open Championship field. Andrew Wilson (1 under) and Aldrich Potgieter (even par) finished second and third respectively.

The Shot That Decided It All

In the 12-man winner-take-all event, Dean seized control on the par-5 14th with a remarkable eagle. After a well-placed drive, he struck a 6-iron from 250 yards to within 3 feet of the pin.

"I just probably hit the best 6-iron I've ever hit," Dean said afterward.

A bogey on the par-3 15th trimmed his lead to one, but Potgieter's approach found a greenside bunker on 18, sealing Dean's victory.

A Road Paved Through a Pandemic Job

Dean's story carries an unusual backdrop: during the COVID-19 pandemic, he supplemented his golf income by delivering groceries for the Morrison's supermarket chain — a job that lasted nearly four years before he regained his footing as a professional.

He earned his DP World Tour card in 2023 by successfully navigating all three stages of Q School, with financial support from friends and sponsors. Currently ranked 264th in the world, he posted top-10 and top-3 finishes in the BMW Championship and KLM Open earlier this season.

This will be his third Open start — a T70 at Royal Birkdale in 2017 and a T25 at Royal Troon in 2024 precede it. His longtime girlfriend Emily caddied for him Monday; the two are set to marry on July 21.

Strokeslab Perspective

Dean's 250-yard 6-iron on the 14th is a textbook example of committing to an aggressive approach under pressure — the kind of shot that shows up in SG: APP splits for good reason. His consistency in one-day formats hints at strong process-based thinking, a trait that tends to travel well to links conditions.