# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published July 20, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-20-greatest-british-open-champions-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Tiger Woods** — score 1000/1000
   Three-time Open champion whose dominant 2000 and 2006 wins are among the sport's most memorable.
2. **Gary Player** — score 785/1000
   South African three-time champion and member of golf's Big Three of the 1960s.
3. **Ryan Fox** — score 642/1000
   New Zealand golfer who won the Open Championship with a birdie on the final hole in 2026.
4. **Peter Thomson** — score 642/1000
   Australian five-time champion who dominated the Open in the 1950s.
5. **Seve Ballesteros** — score 577/1000
   Charismatic Spanish three-time champion known for his flair and creative short game.
6. **Walter Hagen** — score 500/1000
   Flamboyant American four-time champion who helped professionalize golf in the 1920s.
7. **Xander Schauffele** — score 500/1000
   American who claimed the Claret Jug at Royal Troon in 2024.
8. **Henrik Stenson** — score 500/1000
   Swedish champion remembered for his epic 2016 final-round duel with Phil Mickelson.
9. **Bobby Jones** — score 500/1000
   Legendary amateur who won three Open Championships as part of his historic 1930 Grand Slam.
10. **Jack Nicklaus** — score 500/1000
   The Golden Bear won three Open Championships as part of his record 18 major titles.
11. **Old Tom Morris** — score 409/1000
   Four-time 19th-century champion and one of the founding fathers of professional golf.
12. **Padraig Harrington** — score 409/1000
   Irish golfer who won back-to-back Open titles in 2007 and 2008.
13. **Rory McIlroy** — score 409/1000
   Northern Irish major champion who won the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
14. **Harry Vardon** — score 409/1000
   The all-time record holder with six Open Championship titles between 1896 and 1914.
15. **Collin Morikawa** — score 409/1000
   American who won the 2021 Open at Royal St George's in just his first appearance.
16. **Phil Mickelson** — score 300/1000
   American left-hander who claimed his only Open title in a thrilling 2013 final round at Muirfield.
17. **Tom Watson** — score 300/1000
   American five-time Open champion renowned as one of the greatest links golfers ever.
18. **Nick Faldo** — score 300/1000
   English three-time Open winner and one of Europe's greatest ever major champions.
19. **Shane Lowry** — score 167/1000
   Irish golfer who won the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush in front of a jubilant home crowd.
20. **James Braid** — score 167/1000
   Scottish five-time champion and member of golf's legendary Great Triumvirate.

Tags: sports, golf, british, legends