Shortly after Joe Dean had been interviewed by the DP World Tour on the 12th hole at Real Club de Campo, one of the most difficult on the course, he produced one of the day’s highlights. Having striped his driver down the middle of the fairway, he caressed a sublime second to six feet and rolled the putt into the centre of the cup. Three shots of the highest quality executed with astonishing composure, as if leading the Open de España were the most natural thing in the world.
However, golf has a unique ability to turn everything on its head in a matter of minutes. Having strung together 36 holes without a single bogey, Dean covered the following two in three-over par. On the 16th, he missed a two-footer, resulting in a double bogey. On the 17th he ceded another shot to the course. Just when it seemed like he had the tournament under his spell, the course had its way with him.
What is most striking is that even after his disastrous 16th, Dean did not lose his composure. His body language was calm, there were no rebukes or angry gestures. The confidence he had exuded throughout the day seemed intact, even though his scorecard told a different story. Golf knows nothing of momentum or track records; in just two holes, it can undo hours of hard work.
Dean already knows what it takes to win. In August, he won the British Masters, his first DP World Tour title on his 70th appearance on the circuit, with a final-round 63. For years, he had worked as a supermarket delivery driver for Morrisons whilst trying to fund his professional career. That win changed his life and confirmed that he could compete at the very highest level.
Always by his side is his wife, who is also his caddie. They have been together for ten years and were married this summer. She has witnessed first-hand the journey to that victory and has just shared with him the rollercoaster ride of a Saturday that seemed destined to cement his claim to the title, only for it to go awry in the blink of an eye.
The 18th hole once again tested his resilience. Dean hit a dreadful drive, veering 50 yards left of his target; yet another sign that he had lost some of the control he had displayed hours earlier. But the Englishman still had one magic moment up his sleeve. Having pitched to 31 feet, he stroked his ball downhill and watched as it fell into the middle of the cup, a huge moment considering what he had endured over the previous two holes.
Despite stumbling through the last few holes, the Englishman will tee off on Sunday as joint leader alongside Grant Forrest (-13), albeit having squandered a three-stroke lead. The scene on the 12th hole perfectly summed up the Dean who had dominated the day: precise, confident, in complete control of every movement. Holes 16 and 17 showed the other side of this sport, while the 18th proved he still has the nerve and ability to bounce back.
Joe Dean will now have to cope with the psychological blow of a conclusion to the day that threatened to derail his tournament. With the Open de España title on the line and the chance to secure a place at next year’s Masters at Augusta and The Open, the big question is whether what happened will take its toll on him mentally or if he will be able to pull himself together and put the icing on the cake of a season that has already changed his life with his win at the British Masters.
