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. 1
   Tiger Woods

   Three-time Open champion whose dominant 2000 and 2006 wins are among the sport's most memorable.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Gary Player

   South African three-time champion and member of golf's Big Three of the 1960s.
   785pts
3. 3
   Ryan Fox

   New Zealand golfer who won the Open Championship with a birdie on the final hole in 2026.
   642pts
4. 4
   Peter Thomson

   Australian five-time champion who dominated the Open in the 1950s.
   642pts
5. 5
   Seve Ballesteros

   Charismatic Spanish three-time champion known for his flair and creative short game.
   577pts
6. 6
   Walter Hagen

   Flamboyant American four-time champion who helped professionalize golf in the 1920s.
   500pts
7. 7
   Xander Schauffele

   American who claimed the Claret Jug at Royal Troon in 2024.
   500pts
8. 8
   Henrik Stenson

   Swedish champion remembered for his epic 2016 final-round duel with Phil Mickelson.
   500pts
9. 9
   Bobby Jones

   Legendary amateur who won three Open Championships as part of his historic 1930 Grand Slam.
   500pts
10. 10
    Jack Nicklaus

    The Golden Bear won three Open Championships as part of his record 18 major titles.
    500pts
11. 11
    Old Tom Morris

    Four-time 19th-century champion and one of the founding fathers of professional golf.
    409pts
12. 12
    Padraig Harrington

    Irish golfer who won back-to-back Open titles in 2007 and 2008.
    409pts
13. 13
    Rory McIlroy

    Northern Irish major champion who won the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
    409pts
14. 14
    Harry Vardon

    The all-time record holder with six Open Championship titles between 1896 and 1914.
    409pts
15. 15
    Collin Morikawa

    American who won the 2021 Open at Royal St George's in just his first appearance.
    409pts
16. 16
    Phil Mickelson

    American left-hander who claimed his only Open title in a thrilling 2013 final round at Muirfield.
    300pts
17. 17
    Tom Watson

    American five-time Open champion renowned as one of the greatest links golfers ever.
    300pts
18. 18
    Nick Faldo

    English three-time Open winner and one of Europe's greatest ever major champions.
    300pts
19. 19
    Shane Lowry

    Irish golfer who won the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush in front of a jubilant home crowd.
    167pts
20. 20
    James Braid

    Scottish five-time champion and member of golf's legendary Great Triumvirate.
    167pts