England’s Joe Dean earns ‘Last-Chance’ spot in 2026 Open Championship

Joe Dean has filled the final spot in the 2026 British Open, just in time for Thursday’s start of golf’s final major of the season.

Dean shot a 2-under 68 on Monday morning to win the inaugural Last-Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, the site of the 154th Open Championship.

The 32-year-old Englishman triumphed over 11 other golfers in the one-day, 18-hole tournament, parring the final three holes to outlast countryman Andrew Wilson by one stroke and South African Aldrich Potgieter by two. Everyone else finished over par.

This will be Dean’s third career appearance at the Open Championship.

Feb. 8: Chris Gotterup raises the trophy after winning the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament at TPC Scottsdale.

Feb. 8: Chris Gotterup raises the trophy after winning the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament at TPC Scottsdale.

Feb. 1: Justin Rose holds the trophy after winning the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course – South Course.

Jan. 25: Scottie Scheffler holds up the trophy after winning The American Express tournament at PGA West in La Quinta, California.

Jan. 18: Chris Gotterup holds the championship trophy after winning the Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club in Hawaii.

Dean’s victory completed the 156-man field for this year’s Open Championship.

Meanwhile, Wilson will serve as the first alternate, which could be significant with American Sam Burns expected to withdraw because of the impending birth of his second child.

Three other golfers – Johnny Keefer (T3), Michael Thorbjornsen (T7) and Victor Perez (T9) – cut it close by earning spots at Royal Birkdale with their finishes on Sunday in the Scottish Open.