The 29 Greatest Open Championship Winners of All Time

From century-old amateurs in tweed to modern major machines, this lineup spans quiet dominance and legendary comebacks on golf's oldest stage. Who lifts the Claret Jug in your book?

1. 1
   Lee Trevino

   An American two-time Open champion famed for his colorful personality and shot-making creativity.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Harry Vardon

   The English great who holds the record with six Open Championship victories between 1896 and 1914.
   954pts
3. 3
   Francesco Molinari

   The Italian who became his country's first men's major champion at the 2018 Open.
   930pts
4. 4
   Xander Schauffele

   The American who broke through for his first Open title at Royal Troon in 2024.
   930pts
5. 5
   Seve Ballesteros

   The charismatic Spaniard who won the Open twice with his daring, creative shot-making.
   891pts
6. 6
   Cameron Smith

   The Australian who fired a final-round 64 to win the 2022 Open at St Andrews.
   818pts
7. 7
   Phil Mickelson

   An American major champion whose lone Open win came at Muirfield in 2013.
   818pts
8. 8
   Roberto De Vicenzo

   The Argentine who won the 1967 Open at age 44, one of the sport's great late-career triumphs.
   734pts
9. 9
   Tiger Woods

   A three-time Open champion whose dominant wins in 2000, 2005, and 2006 reshaped modern golf.
   734pts
10. 10
    Gary Player

    The South African great who won three Opens as part of his career Grand Slam.
    734pts
11. 11
    James Braid

    A five-time Open champion and one of golf's 'Great Triumvirate' of the early 1900s.
    636pts
12. 12
    Scottie Scheffler

    The world number one who dominated the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
    636pts
13. 13
    Bobby Jones

    The legendary amateur who won three Opens as part of his historic 1930 Grand Slam.
    636pts
14. 14
    Padraig Harrington

    The Irishman who won back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008.
    636pts
15. 15
    Henrik Stenson

    The Swede who set a championship scoring record while winning at Royal Troon in 2016.
    636pts
16. 16
    Tom Watson

    An American legend who won the Open five times, including the famous 1977 'Duel in the Sun.'
    636pts
17. 17
    Walter Hagen

    A flamboyant four-time Open champion who helped professionalize golf in the 1920s.
    636pts
18. 18
    Nick Faldo

    An English three-time Open champion known for his precise, methodical golf swing.
    520pts
19. 19
    Collin Morikawa

    The American who won the 2021 Open in just his second career major start.
    520pts
20. 20
    Justin Leonard

    The American whose 1997 Open win at Royal Troon capped a stunning final-round charge.
    520pts
21. 21
    Sandy Lyle

    The Scotsman who became the first British golfer in decades to win the Open in 1985.
    382pts
22. 22
    Ernie Els

    A South African two-time Open champion celebrated for his smooth 'Big Easy' swing.
    382pts
23. 23
    Jack Nicklaus

    The Golden Bear, a three-time Open champion and one of golf's greatest major winners ever.
    382pts
24. 24
    Young Tom Morris

    The prodigy who won four consecutive Opens from 1868 to 1872 before dying tragically young.
    382pts
25. 25
    Greg Norman

    The Shark, an Australian who won the Open twice with dominant front-running performances.
    382pts
26. 26
    Rory McIlroy

    The Northern Irishman who claimed the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
    382pts
27. 27
    Bobby Locke

    A South African four-time Open champion renowned as one of history's great putters.
    212pts
28. 28
    Peter Thomson

    The Australian who won the Open five times through the 1950s and 1960s.
    212pts
29. 29
    Shane Lowry

    The Irishman whose emotional 2019 Open win at Royal Portrush thrilled a home crowd.
    212pts