Joe Dean jokes he may have to camp by the practice putting green after winning The Open's inaugural Last Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale.

Joe Dean will play in his third major championship, having made his debut at Royal Birkdale in 2017 Joe Dean, the final man to qualify for this week's Open Championship, needs somewhere to stay. The Sheffield golfer shot a two-under-par round of 68 on Monday to win by one shot the inaugural Last Chance Qualifier - 12 players competing for the final spot in the 154th staging of golf's oldest major. Sinking a winning putt, in front of the iconic art deco clubhouse at Royal Birkdale on Sunday will be followed by the immortal words 'Champion Golfer of the Year'. For Dean, the prize of simply qualifying for The Open is one he'll cherish, and now send him house hunting. "We were fortunate to get a hotel room last night but everywhere else is booked," he said, before joking: "With the weather like it is I could probably pitch a tent next to the putting green. "Maybe like in Troon in 2024, we'll find a camper van park but I'll sleep in the car if I have to." After six straight pars, a solitary birdie on the par-three seventh meant Dean was the only player of the dozen to reach the turn under par.