Supermarket delivery driver wins significant £170k at Kenya Open

Supermarket delivery driver wins significant £170k at Kenya Open

Joe Dean, a delivery driver, finished a life-changing week at the Magical Kenya Open in Nairobi tied for second place with Darius van Driel after shooting a 67.

The 29-year-old Englishman qualified for the DP World Tour by completing all three stages of the Qualifying School in 2023, birdieing the final hole in November to finish in the top 25 and ties and claim one of the final spots available.

Despite the fact that the season began the following week, he did not play until the Qatar Masters earlier this month because he lacked the funds to support a career on a tour that had already visited seven countries and three continents.

How it finished 📊#MKO2024

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After missing the cut in Doha, the world number 2,930 returned to work as a Morrisons delivery driver last week, but after a birdie on the final hole on Sunday secured him a tie for second and a cheque for just over £170,000, his life will change dramatically.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” he said. “It’s got to be (life-changing). It’s what people dream of, it’s what I’ve been aiming to do for a long time.

“After the last three or four years I never thought I’d get another chance. Still some gremlins to get past in order to get to my full potential, but like anyone you’ve got to get over them, squash them and keep going.

“I’ve never been one of the most over-confident people. Coming into this week was a bit daunting.

“Second event, you don’t really feel like you belong and feel like you’re trying to prove something. Luckily, I managed to get over that quickly and figure out how to get around the golf course.”

Dutchman Van Driel closed with a 67 to finish on 14 under, two shots ahead of Dean and Spaniard Nacho Elvira, with England’s Matthew Jordan on 11 under, one ahead of Scottish pair Ewen Ferguson and Connor Syme.

Supermarket delivery driver wins significant £170k at Kenya Open