# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published July 16, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-29-greatest-open-championship-winners-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Lee Trevino** — score 1000/1000
   An American two-time Open champion famed for his colorful personality and shot-making creativity.
2. **Harry Vardon** — score 954/1000
   The English great who holds the record with six Open Championship victories between 1896 and 1914.
3. **Francesco Molinari** — score 930/1000
   The Italian who became his country's first men's major champion at the 2018 Open.
4. **Xander Schauffele** — score 930/1000
   The American who broke through for his first Open title at Royal Troon in 2024.
5. **Seve Ballesteros** — score 891/1000
   The charismatic Spaniard who won the Open twice with his daring, creative shot-making.
6. **Cameron Smith** — score 818/1000
   The Australian who fired a final-round 64 to win the 2022 Open at St Andrews.
7. **Phil Mickelson** — score 818/1000
   An American major champion whose lone Open win came at Muirfield in 2013.
8. **Roberto De Vicenzo** — score 734/1000
   The Argentine who won the 1967 Open at age 44, one of the sport's great late-career triumphs.
9. **Tiger Woods** — score 734/1000
   A three-time Open champion whose dominant wins in 2000, 2005, and 2006 reshaped modern golf.
10. **Gary Player** — score 734/1000
   The South African great who won three Opens as part of his career Grand Slam.
11. **James Braid** — score 636/1000
   A five-time Open champion and one of golf's 'Great Triumvirate' of the early 1900s.
12. **Scottie Scheffler** — score 636/1000
   The world number one who dominated the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
13. **Bobby Jones** — score 636/1000
   The legendary amateur who won three Opens as part of his historic 1930 Grand Slam.
14. **Padraig Harrington** — score 636/1000
   The Irishman who won back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008.
15. **Henrik Stenson** — score 636/1000
   The Swede who set a championship scoring record while winning at Royal Troon in 2016.
16. **Tom Watson** — score 636/1000
   An American legend who won the Open five times, including the famous 1977 'Duel in the Sun.'
17. **Walter Hagen** — score 636/1000
   A flamboyant four-time Open champion who helped professionalize golf in the 1920s.
18. **Nick Faldo** — score 520/1000
   An English three-time Open champion known for his precise, methodical golf swing.
19. **Collin Morikawa** — score 520/1000
   The American who won the 2021 Open in just his second career major start.
20. **Justin Leonard** — score 520/1000
   The American whose 1997 Open win at Royal Troon capped a stunning final-round charge.
21. **Sandy Lyle** — score 382/1000
   The Scotsman who became the first British golfer in decades to win the Open in 1985.
22. **Ernie Els** — score 382/1000
   A South African two-time Open champion celebrated for his smooth 'Big Easy' swing.
23. **Jack Nicklaus** — score 382/1000
   The Golden Bear, a three-time Open champion and one of golf's greatest major winners ever.
24. **Young Tom Morris** — score 382/1000
   The prodigy who won four consecutive Opens from 1868 to 1872 before dying tragically young.
25. **Greg Norman** — score 382/1000
   The Shark, an Australian who won the Open twice with dominant front-running performances.
26. **Rory McIlroy** — score 382/1000
   The Northern Irishman who claimed the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
27. **Bobby Locke** — score 212/1000
   A South African four-time Open champion renowned as one of history's great putters.
28. **Peter Thomson** — score 212/1000
   The Australian who won the Open five times through the 1950s and 1960s.
29. **Shane Lowry** — score 212/1000
   The Irishman whose emotional 2019 Open win at Royal Portrush thrilled a home crowd.

Tags: sports, golf, players, open championship