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Joe Dean Wins Inaugural Last Chance Qualifier for 154th Open Championship
English golfer Joe Dean shot 2-under 68 at Royal Birkdale to earn the final spot in the 156-man field. The 32-year-old former delivery driver will make his third Open appearance after earlier results this season.
Jul 16, 11:44 AM·1m read1 source
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Joe Dean won the inaugural Last Chance Qualifier for the 154th Open Championship on July 13, 2026. ESPN reported that the 32-year-old Englishman posted a 2-under 68 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club to claim the final spot in the 156-man field. Dean took control with an eagle on the par-5 14th hole after hitting a 6-iron approach from 250 yards to 3 feet.
He made a bogey on the following par-3 15th but finished one stroke ahead of England's Andrew Wilson at 1 under and South Africa's Aldrich Potgieter at even par. Dean's longtime girlfriend Emily carried his bag during the round. The couple is scheduled to marry on July 21.
Dean said the date was chosen because it was cheaper. It will be Dean's third appearance in the Open. He tied for 70th at Royal Birkdale in 2017 and for 25th at Royal Troon in 2024. Dean, ranked 264th in the Official World Golf Ranking, tied for ninth in the BMW Championship and third in the KLM Open earlier in 2026.
Dean supplemented his income by delivering groceries for the Morrison's chain for nearly four years during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the job grounded him and that his coach reminds him not to let the game define him. "Any opportunity to get in The Open again, I'll gladly turn up and play," Dean said.
