The 20 Greatest British Open Champions of All Time

Six-time champions and record-breaking underdogs alike have lifted the Claret Jug on links courses steeped in history. Who's the greatest of them all?

1

Tiger Woods

Three-time Open champion whose dominant 2000 and 2006 wins are among the sport's most memorable.

1000pts

2

Gary Player

South African three-time champion and member of golf's Big Three of the 1960s.

785pts

3

Ryan Fox

New Zealand golfer who won the Open Championship with a birdie on the final hole in 2026.

642pts

4

Peter Thomson

Australian five-time champion who dominated the Open in the 1950s.

642pts

5

Seve Ballesteros

Charismatic Spanish three-time champion known for his flair and creative short game.

577pts

6

Walter Hagen

Flamboyant American four-time champion who helped professionalize golf in the 1920s.

500pts

7

Xander Schauffele

American who claimed the Claret Jug at Royal Troon in 2024.

500pts

8

Henrik Stenson

Swedish champion remembered for his epic 2016 final-round duel with Phil Mickelson.

500pts

9

Bobby Jones

Legendary amateur who won three Open Championships as part of his historic 1930 Grand Slam.

500pts

10

Jack Nicklaus

The Golden Bear won three Open Championships as part of his record 18 major titles.

500pts

11

Old Tom Morris

Four-time 19th-century champion and one of the founding fathers of professional golf.

409pts

12

Padraig Harrington

Irish golfer who won back-to-back Open titles in 2007 and 2008.

409pts

13

Rory McIlroy

Northern Irish major champion who won the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014.

409pts

14

Harry Vardon

The all-time record holder with six Open Championship titles between 1896 and 1914.

409pts

15

Collin Morikawa

American who won the 2021 Open at Royal St George's in just his first appearance.

409pts

16

Phil Mickelson

American left-hander who claimed his only Open title in a thrilling 2013 final round at Muirfield.

300pts

17

Tom Watson

American five-time Open champion renowned as one of the greatest links golfers ever.

300pts

18

Nick Faldo

English three-time Open winner and one of Europe's greatest ever major champions.

300pts

19

Shane Lowry

Irish golfer who won the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush in front of a jubilant home crowd.

167pts

20

James Braid

Scottish five-time champion and member of golf's legendary Great Triumvirate.

167pts