Kenya Open final standings |
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-14 D. Van Driel (Ned); -12 J Dean (UK), N Elvira (Spa). -11 M Jordan (UK), A Otegui (Spa) |
Joe Dean, who is ranked 2,930th in the world and is a part-time delivery driver, won a “life-changing” prize of £170,000 after finishing runner-up at the Kenya Open.
The British rider qualified for the DP World Tour and finished tied for second behind Darius van Driel in Nairobi.
Dean, who works as a delivery driver at a Morrisons supermarket, shot a final four-under 67 to finish at 12 under.
“It must be so. [life changing]. It’s something people dream about,” Dean said.
The 29-year-old from Sheffield qualified for the 2023 DP World Tour but did not compete until the Qatar Masters in February because he could not afford to travel around the world to take part.
He missed out on Doha and returned to his job delivering for Morrisons until last week.
However, after the first round, Dean finished two strokes behind eventual winner Van Driel, and in the next three rounds he was level with the Dutchman and tied with Spaniard Nacho Elvira for second place. I finished with a difference.
“I never thought I would get another chance after the last three or four years,” Dean said.
“I still have to overcome some gremlins to reach my full potential, but just like anyone else, I have to overcome them, crush them, and keep going.” .
“I’ve never been an overconfident person and it felt a little daunting going into this week. In the second event I didn’t really feel like I belonged and was trying to prove something. I feel like there is.
“Fortunately, I quickly got over that problem and figured out how to get around the golf course.”