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

Lee Trevino

An American two-time Open champion famed for his colorful personality and shot-making creativity.

1000pts

2

Harry Vardon

The English great who holds the record with six Open Championship victories between 1896 and 1914.

954pts

3

Francesco Molinari

The Italian who became his country's first men's major champion at the 2018 Open.

930pts

4

Xander Schauffele

The American who broke through for his first Open title at Royal Troon in 2024.

930pts

5

Seve Ballesteros

The charismatic Spaniard who won the Open twice with his daring, creative shot-making.

891pts

6

Cameron Smith

The Australian who fired a final-round 64 to win the 2022 Open at St Andrews.

818pts

7

Phil Mickelson

An American major champion whose lone Open win came at Muirfield in 2013.

818pts

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

Tiger Woods

A three-time Open champion whose dominant wins in 2000, 2005, and 2006 reshaped modern golf.

734pts

10

Gary Player

The South African great who won three Opens as part of his career Grand Slam.

734pts

11

James Braid

A five-time Open champion and one of golf's 'Great Triumvirate' of the early 1900s.

636pts

12

Scottie Scheffler

The world number one who dominated the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

636pts

13

Bobby Jones

The legendary amateur who won three Opens as part of his historic 1930 Grand Slam.

636pts

14

Padraig Harrington

The Irishman who won back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008.

636pts

15

Henrik Stenson

The Swede who set a championship scoring record while winning at Royal Troon in 2016.

636pts

16

Tom Watson

An American legend who won the Open five times, including the famous 1977 'Duel in the Sun.'

636pts

17

Walter Hagen

A flamboyant four-time Open champion who helped professionalize golf in the 1920s.

636pts

18

Nick Faldo

An English three-time Open champion known for his precise, methodical golf swing.

520pts

19

Collin Morikawa

The American who won the 2021 Open in just his second career major start.

520pts

20

Justin Leonard

The American whose 1997 Open win at Royal Troon capped a stunning final-round charge.

520pts

21

Sandy Lyle

The Scotsman who became the first British golfer in decades to win the Open in 1985.

382pts

22

Ernie Els

A South African two-time Open champion celebrated for his smooth 'Big Easy' swing.

382pts

23

Jack Nicklaus

The Golden Bear, a three-time Open champion and one of golf's greatest major winners ever.

382pts

24

Young Tom Morris

The prodigy who won four consecutive Opens from 1868 to 1872 before dying tragically young.

382pts

25

Greg Norman

The Shark, an Australian who won the Open twice with dominant front-running performances.

382pts

26

Rory McIlroy

The Northern Irishman who claimed the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014.

382pts

27

Bobby Locke

A South African four-time Open champion renowned as one of history's great putters.

212pts

28

Peter Thomson

The Australian who won the Open five times through the 1950s and 1960s.

212pts

29

Shane Lowry

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

212pts