Ex-delivery driver turned pro wins last-chance qualifier to claim final Open Championship spot
Danish Golf Championship 2025 - Fureso Golfklub Joe DEAN - Anden runde i Danish Golf Championship. - DP World Tour pa Fureso Golfklub *** Danish Golf Championship 2025 Fureso Golfklub Joe DEAN Second round of the Danish Golf Championship DP World Tour at Fureso Golfklub Copyright: xMichaelxBarrettxBoesenx
Danish Golf Championship 2025 - Fureso Golfklub Joe DEAN - Anden runde i Danish Golf Championship. - DP World Tour pa Fureso Golfklub *** Danish Golf Championship 2025 Fureso Golfklub Joe DEAN Second round of the Danish Golf Championship DP World Tour at Fureso Golfklub Copyright: xMichaelxBarrettxBoesenx
Former supermarket delivery driver Joe Dean is headed back to The Open Championship. After years of balancing tournament golf with shifts at Morrisons to fund his career, the Englishman secured another chance to compete on golf's biggest stage.
Following the win, the 32-year-old opened up about the struggles he faced while working to keep his professional dream alive.
“Emily [his fiancée] took me down to the supermarket,” Dean said of his former job post-round. “She enrolled me within a week or two. Yeah, I probably did it for, what, three years, three and a bit years. Sorry, four years. It was great. I never regret doing it.”
UK: Nexo Championship, Old Course at Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen, Scotland on 10 August 2025: Pictured: Joe Dean England on the 1st fairway during the final round of the Nexo Championship 2025 at Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Aberdeen Trump International Golf Links Scotland Copyright: xAlexxToddx
UK: Nexo Championship, Old Course at Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen, Scotland on 10 August 2025: Pictured: Joe Dean England on the 1st fairway during the final round of the Nexo Championship 2025 at Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Aberdeen Trump International Golf Links Scotland Copyright: xAlexxToddx
Dean took on the delivery job for Morrisons in 2020 to fund his golf career, as reported by Bunkered. That helped him survive the COVID period and cover his tournament travel expenses till 2024.
"Obviously, it's a great opportunity to be able to play golf for a living, and I'm really thankful for it,” added Dean.
After leaving his delivery job in 2024 following a runner-up finish at the Magical Kenya Open, Dean has continued his rise in the professional ranks, with his victory at the Last Chance Qualifier securing a spot in his third Open.
Speaking after the win, Dean reflected on both his performance and the journey that brought him back to The Open.
Joe Dean on his Last Chance Qualifier performance
After narrowly missing out at Final Qualifying, Dean made the most of his second chance at West Lancashire, becoming the first player to secure an Open berth through the Last Chance Qualifier pathway
"It was great today," Dean said after his win, as per Sky Sports. "Any opportunity to get in The Open again, I'll gladly turn up and play. One-day events, I seem to play better.
Dean's 2-under 68 secured a one-shot victory at West Lancashire, though he had to navigate a tense finish after spending most of Monday atop the leaderboard.
The closing hole presented one final challenge for Dean. After finding a bunker near the green, he produced an excellent up-and-down to save par.
The crowd cheered as he walked off the final tee, with the par save sealing a one-stroke victory over fellow Englishman Andrew Wilson.
What are your thoughts on Joe Dean’s win at the Last Chance Qualifier? Share them in the comments.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav