The Open: Joe Dean, ex-Morrison delivery driver turned DP World Tour regular, wins last-chance qualifier at Royal Birkdale | golf news

Joe Dean is making final preparations for his wedding after earning a late invite to The Open by winning a last-chance qualifier at Royal Birkdale.

Dean celebrated a one-shot victory over Andrew Wilson in the inaugural edition of the 12-man event on Monday morning, posting a two-under 68 to secure the final spot in the field for the final men’s major of the year.

The Englishman made his debut at The Open when it was last held at Royal Birkdale in 2017 but has struggled in the early years of his touring career, with Morrison working as a delivery driver during Covid and as recently as 2024.

Having not needed supermarket work since finishing runner-up at the magical Kenya Open that February, Dean has now been a regular on the DP World Tour for the past three seasons and is enjoying his third Open appearance.

“Today was awesome,” Dean said after his win. “Any opportunity to go to The Open again, I’ll happily attend. One-day events, I seem to play better.

“I don’t know exactly why, the mentality of trying to keep it the same throughout any round. I don’t know I just got used to it a little bit more and it was just like a round of shoot-outs.”

Dean caddies the win with fiancée Emily ahead of their wedding next Tuesday, with the win following two top-10 finishes in their last three on the DP World Tour.

“It’s a very difficult dynamic,” Dean admits. “Even when things are going well there, it’s not a pretty walk in the park. It’s very stressful. It’s demanding.

“I’d say the good thing is I’m self-sufficient, so I have the yardage book. I literally need Em to carry the bag, maybe just to talk trash. He used to play county golf himself, so he’s a good player – he knows what he’s doing. He knows me very well, which always helps.”

Fresh from Morrison to the main spotlight

Dean has been playing mini-tour golf until he progresses through the DP World Tour’s qualifying school in late 2023, with the Yorkshireman still working as a grocer until the start of next season.

“I had a great time doing it,” Dean insisted. “Met some really good friends and made me really good. My coach kept telling me ‘don’t let the sport define you’ and obviously it’s not your typical nine-to-five job.

“It’s hard to get out of this lifestyle. I’ve only got two weeks off at home and it’s been really hard to switch it off and try to relax into it. I’ve got to work on it better and have all the things to keep my mind occupied.

“Obviously being able to play golf for a living is a great opportunity and I’m really grateful for that.”

He was included in the last-chance qualifier after narrowly missing out on a spot through final qualifying, with Wesley Bryan – a former PGA Tour player turned YouTube golfer – and former amateur champion Aldrich Potgieter among others involved.

“It’s great to see the number of people here today,” Dean said. “We stopped at a local Premier Inn and we had a couple of people asking if we were playing in the qualifiers today, which obviously you don’t usually get. I think it attracted a lot of people.”

Dean’s reward is two rounds with American Max Homma and 2016 champion Golfer of the Year Henrik Stenson, with the world No. 264 now scrambling to find some last-minute accommodation ahead of a potentially crucial week.

Attendees wearing Dolly Parton-themed shirts can be seen following Dean, chanting her classic hit “Jolene” during the event due to its frequent resemblance to her name. Expect to hear plenty of that song from record-breaking crowds heading to Royal Birkdale.

When is the Open live on Sky Sports?

Wall-to-wall action kicks off with the final men’s major of the year on Thursday at 6.30am on Sky Sports Golf, the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports Golf.

Sky Sports+ or The Sky Sports appwith extended coverage then beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday.