Joe Dean secured the final place in this week’s Open Championship by winning the inaugural Last Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale, shooting a two-under 68 to finish one shot clear. The result matters because it gives Dean, a player who rebuilt his career after slipping down the rankings and working as a supermarket delivery driver, a place in golf’s oldest major and highlights the R&A’s attempt to add a new event to Open week.

Dean was the only one of the 12-man field to reach the turn under par and strengthened his position with an eagle at the 14th before holding on with key shots late in the round. Ranked 268th in the world, he will now play in his third Open after previously making the cut at Birkdale in 2017, and he is due to start alongside Henrik Stenson and Max Homa. The qualifier was designed as an 18-hole shootout for the 156th and final spot in the field, while organisers said it would enhance the spectator experience during a week in which about 300,000 fans are expected.