Winners of The Open Championship
From the very first to the reigning Champion Golfer of the Year
Welcome to the hallowed halls of golfing history, to a chronicle of champions who have shaped the legacy of one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world: The Open Championship, or as it’s often known, the British Open.
This page, entitled ‘Winners of The Open Championship’ is a journey through more than 150 years of golfing excellence, a testament to those individuals who, with unparalleled skill, determination, and resilience, have hoisted the coveted Claret Jug aloft.
Each name you will encounter here signifies more than a victory. It tells a unique tale of grit, precision, and an unwavering commitment to the game. These champions have transformed the fairways into their battlefields, crafting moments of high drama, unparalleled triumph, and heartbreaking defeat that echo through the annals of golf history.
From the pioneering victors of the late 19th century to the global icons of the modern game, this comprehensive compilation recognises every champion who has conquered the challenging links courses to emerge victorious in this revered tournament.
So, tee off into the past with us as we pay tribute to these greats of the game.
Open Championship winners
1860: Willie Park Sr (Prestwick)
1861: Tom Morris Sr (Prestwick)
1862: Tom Morris Sr (Prestwick)
1863: Willie Park Sr (Prestwick)
1864: Tom Morris Sr (Prestwick)
1865: Andrew Strath (Prestwick)
1866: Willie Park Sr (Prestwick)
1867: Tom Morris Sr (Prestwick)
1868: Tom Morris Jr (Prestwick)
1869: Tom Morris Jr (Prestwick)
1870: Tom Morris Jr (Prestwick)
1871: No tournament due to missing trophy
1872: Tom Morris Jr (Prestwick)
1873: Tom Kidd (St Andrews)
1874: Mungo Park (Musselburgh Links)
1875: Willie Park Sr (Prestwick)
1876: Bob Martin (St Andrews)
1877: Jamie Anderson (Musselburgh Links)
1878: Jamie Anderson (Prestwick)
1879: Jamie Anderson (St Andrews)
1880: Bob Ferguson (Musselburgh Links)
1881: Bob Ferguson (Prestwick)
1882: Bob Ferguson (St Andrews)
1883: Willie Fernie (Musselburgh Links)
1884: Jack Simpson (Prestwick)
1885: Bob Martin (St Andrews)
1886: David Brown (Musselburgh Links)
1887: Willie Park Jr. (Prestwick)
1888: Jack Burns (St Andrews)
1889: Willie Park Jr. (Musselburgh Links)
1890: John Ball (Prestwick)
1891: Hugh Kirkaldy (St Andrews)
1892: Harold Hilton (Muirfield)
1893: William Auchterlonie (Prestwick)
1894: John Henry Taylor (Royal St George’s)
1895: John Henry Taylor (St Andrews)
1896: Harry Vardon (Muirfield)
1897: Harold Hilton (Royal Liverpool)
1898: Harry Vardon (Prestwick)
1899: Harry Vardon (Royal St George’s)
1900: John Henry Taylor (St Andrews)
1901: James Braid (Muirfield)
1902: Sandy Herd (Royal Liverpool)
1903: Harry Vardon (Prestwick)
1904: Jack White (Royal St George’s)
1905: James Braid (St Andrews)
1906: James Braid (Muirfield)
1907: Arnaud Massy (Royal Liverpool)
1908: James Braid (Prestwick)
1909: John Henry Taylor (Royal Cinque Ports)
1910: James Braid (St Andrews)
1911: Harry Vardon (Royal St George’s)
1912: Ted Ray (Muirfield)
1913: John Henry Taylor (Royal Liverpool)
1914: Harry Vardon (Prestwick)
1915: No tournament due to World War I
1916: No tournament due to World War I
1917: No tournament due to World War I
1918: No tournament due to World War I
1919: No tournament due to World War I
1920: George Duncan (Royal Cinque Ports)
1921: Jock Hutchison (St Andrews)
1922: Walter Hagen (Royal St George’s)
1923: Arthur Havers (Royal Troon)
1924: Walter Hagen (Royal Liverpool)
1925: Jim Barnes (Prestwick)
1926: Bobby Jones (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1927: Bobby Jones (St Andrews)
1928: Walter Hagen (Royal St George’s)
1929: Walter Hagen (Muirfield)
1930: Bobby Jones (Royal Liverpool)
1931: Tommy Armour (Carnoustie)
1932: Gene Sarazen (Prince’s)
1933: Denny Shute (St Andrews)
1934: Henry Cotton (Royal St George’s)
1935: Alf Perry (Muirfield)
1936: Alf Padgham (Royal Liverpool)
1937: Henry Cotton (Carnoustie)
1938: Reg Whitcombe (Royal St George’s)
1939: Dick Burton (St Andrews)
1940: No tournament due to World War II
1941: No tournament due to World War II
1942: No tournament due to World War II
1943: No tournament due to World War II
1944: No tournament due to World War II
1945: No tournament due to World War II
1946: Sam Snead (St Andrews)
1947: Fred Daly (Royal Liverpool)
1948: Henry Cotton (Muirfield)
1949: Bobby Locke (Royal St George’s)
1950: Bobby Locke (Royal Troon)
1951: Max Faulkner (Royal Portrush)
1952: Bobby Locke (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1953: Ben Hogan (Carnoustie)
1954: Peter Thomson (Royal Birkdale)
1955: Peter Thomson (St Andrews)
1956: Peter Thomson (Royal Liverpool)
1957: Bobby Locke (St Andrews)
1958: Peter Thomson (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1959: Gary Player (Muirfield)
1960: Kel Nagle (St Andrews)
1961: Arnold Palmer (Royal Birkdale)
1962: Arnold Palmer (Royal Troon)
1963: Bob Charles (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1964: Tony Lema (St Andrews)
1965: Peter Thomson (Royal Birkdale)
1966: Jack Nicklaus (Muirfield)
1967: Roberto De Vicenzo (Royal Liverpool)
1968: Gary Player (Carnoustie)
1969: Tony Jacklin (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1970: Jack Nicklaus (St Andrews)
1971: Lee Trevino (Royal Birkdale)
1972: Lee Trevino (Muirfield)
1973: Tom Weiskopf (Royal Troon)
1974: Gary Player (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1975: Tom Watson (Carnoustie)
1976: Johnny Miller (Royal Birkdale)
1977: Tom Watson (Turnberry)
1978: Jack Nicklaus (St Andrews)
1979: Seve Ballesteros (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1980: Tom Watson (Muirfield)
1981: Bill Rogers (Royal St George’s)
1982: Tom Watson (Royal Troon)
1983: Tom Watson (Royal Birkdale)
1984: Seve Ballesteros (St Andrews)
1985: Sandy Lyle (Royal St George’s)
1986: Greg Norman (Turnberry)
1987: Nick Faldo (Muirfield)
1988: Seve Ballesteros (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1989: Mark Calcavecchia (Royal Troon)
1990: Nick Faldo (St Andrews)
1991: Ian Baker-Finch (Royal Birkdale)
1992: Nick Faldo (Muirfield)
1993: Greg Norman (Royal St George’s)
1994: Nick Price (Turnberry)
1995: John Daly (St Andrews)
1996: Tom Lehman (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
1997: Justin Leonard (Royal Troon)
1998: Mark O’Meara (Royal Birkdale)
1999: Paul Lawrie (Carnoustie)
2000: Tiger Woods (St Andrews)
2001: David Duval (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
2002: Ernie Els (Muirfield)
2003: Ben Curtis (Royal St George’s)
2004: Todd Hamilton (Royal Troon)
2005: Tiger Woods (St Andrews)
2006: Tiger Woods (Royal Liverpool)
2007: Padraig Harrington (Carnoustie)
2008: Padraig Harrington (Royal Birkdale)
2009: Stewart Cink (Turnberry)
2010: Louis Oosthuizen (St Andrews)
2011: Darren Clarke (Royal St George’s)
2012: Ernie Els (Royal Lytham & St Annes)
2013: Phil Mickelson (Muirfield)
2014: Rory McIlroy (Royal Liverpool)
2015: Zach Johnson (St Andrews)
2016: Henrik Stenson (Royal Troon)
2017: Jordan Spieth (Royal Birkdale)
2018: Francesco Molinari (Carnoustie)
2019: Shane Lowry (Royal Portrush)
2020: No tournament due to the Covid 19 pandemic
2021: Collin Morikawa (Royal St George’s)
2022: Cameron Smith (St Andrews)
In Conclusion
As we wrap up this exploration into the champions of the British Open, we are left in awe of the caliber of talent, sheer determination, and unyielding resilience that each victor has displayed. Each name on this list embodies not only a personal triumph but also an important chapter in the ever-evolving narrative of this revered tournament.
The drama that unfolded on the greens, the personal sacrifices made, the record-breaking performances, and the rivalries that were forged—all these elements culminate into the legacy of the Open Championship. The tournament has transcended beyond a mere competition; it has become a timeless tradition, a celebration of golf at its finest, and a testament to the human spirit.
The champions we have honored here have each left their mark, not just on the Claret Jug, but on the heart of golf itself. Their victories reverberate beyond the boundaries of the course, inspiring generations of future golfers and enchanting fans across the globe.
As we look back on the annals of the Open Championship, we are reminded of the rich tapestry that makes up the history of this beloved sport. Here’s to the champions of the past, the present, and many more to come.
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