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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ewan Murray at Royal Birkdale

Shootout delivers final spot at the Open for ex-Morrisons driver Joe Dean

Joe Dean, next to the Claret Jug and holding a flag from the 18th hole
Joe Dean made his way in the Open by one shot in the 18-hole shootout. Photograph: Greig Cowie/Shutterstock

A greenside bunker shot that landed like a butterfly with sore feet. A knee-knocker of a 4ft putt, thumped into the back of the hole. Joe Dean did not win the Open Championship on Monday – and inevitably will not on Sunday, either – but the drama produced by the former delivery driver from Sheffield fully justified R&A innovation.

It has long seemed unsatisfactory that focus shifts towards those beginning their Open buildup as a tournament concludes elsewhere. Scottie Scheffler missed the cut at the Scottish Open on Friday yet the world No 1 drew eyeballs at here on Sunday as he plotted a Claret Jug defence.

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