July 17th 2024.
The past year has been a whirlwind for Joe Dean. While golf sensation Tiger Woods was busy preparing for the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, Joe spent his weekend in a more laid-back way, indulging in his favorite hobby of washing cars. When asked about this seemingly odd interest, Joe confesses that it's a guilty pleasure and almost like therapy for him.
But Joe's love for washing cars also reveals the unconventional path he has taken to get to where he is today. Once a Challenge Tour player, Joe was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and had to find alternative ways to make ends meet. He worked as a delivery driver at Morrisons and helped out at his friend's car detailing business just to pay his bills. But as the world slowly reopened, Joe decided to focus on rebuilding his golf career.
Starting with smaller pro-ams and one-day events in the UK, Joe eventually earned a DP World Tour card in November of last year after going through three intense qualifying stages. However, having a Tour card doesn't guarantee success or even a spot in major events. Due to his low ranking, Joe could only compete in smaller events and had to take up delivery driving shifts again to save up for flights.
But after four months of hard work and determination, Joe finally had the funds to compete and flew out to Asia for the Qatar Masters in February. Though he missed the cut, he struck gold at his next event, the Magical Kenya Open, where he finished tied for second, earning a hefty £170,000 runners-up cheque. Joe describes this as a huge moment for him, not just in terms of financial gain but also as a massive confidence boost and a way to attract more sponsors.
His story resonated with many people, as Joe believes that there are thousands of professional golfers who have had to take up side jobs to make ends meet. But despite the financial struggles, Joe never lost faith in his abilities and had the support of his fiancée and a stable home life. This, according to Joe, was a key factor in his recent rise in the world rankings, going from number 2,930 to just outside the top 250.
Joe's incredible journey has led him to his second major championship appearance, the Open Championship, which will be held at Royal Troon this week. Reflecting on his rise, Joe admits that he had always believed in his abilities but never expected it to happen so quickly. He also acknowledges the mental and physical stamina required to compete at the highest level and credits his relaxed home life for freeing him up to perform at his best.
But it hasn't been all smooth sailing for Joe. He had to overcome a traumatic experience from his past that had left him with a fear of travelling alone. With the help of a hypnotist, he was able to conquer his fears and travel to international events without his fiancée. Though he still doesn't enjoy travelling, Joe is grateful for the progress he has made and is looking forward to experiencing his first Open in Scotland.
As he prepares for the challenging course at Royal Troon, Joe admits that he has never played there before and has had to rely on YouTube videos and online research to get a feel for the course. But he also has the experience of playing in the Open before, at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Looking back, Joe realizes that he had a different mindset back then, one that he now knows doesn't work for him. This time, he plans to conserve his energy and soak in the whole experience, something he never thought he would get the chance to do.
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