Table of Contents
Introduction
Since its inaugural event in 1860, the British Open, also known as the Open Championship, has held a place of prestige in the world of golf. Often referred to as the original golf tournament, its rich history and the challenging play it requires have secured its place as one of the most important and highly regarded tournaments in the sport. Its winner’s list reads like a who’s who of golfing greats, from pioneers of the early game to contemporary icons.
Hall of Fame
These golfers have achieved immense success at the British Open and have significantly shaped the tournament’s rich history.
Old Tom Morris
The patriarch of professional golf, Old Tom Morris, was not just a player but also a greenkeeper, clubmaker, ballmaker, and golf course designer. Morris won his first Open Championship in 1861, then again in 1862, 1864, and 1867.
Harry Vardon
Harry Vardon, a record holder for the most victories at the Open Championship with six titles, played a crucial role in popularizing the sport beyond the British Isles.
Walter Hagen
Walter Hagen is not only one of the most successful players in the history of the Open Championship but also one of the first Americans to become a global golf superstar. His victories in 1922, 1924, 1928, 1929, and 1930 helped elevate the status of professional golf.
Bobby Jones
Despite being an amateur, Bobby Jones left an indelible mark on the British Open, securing victories in 1926, 1927, and 1930.
Peter Thomson
Australia’s Peter Thomson was a dominant force in the 1950s and 1960s, winning five times (1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965) and cementing his place in the Open history.
Tom Watson
Tom Watson’s five victories (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983) showcased his mastery over links golf and established him as one of the greatest players in the Open history.
Sir Nick Faldo
Sir Nick Faldo’s meticulous approach and exceptional precision won him the championship three times (1987, 1990, 1992), making him the most successful British player in the modern era.
Players With Most Wins Overall
Over the years, the Open Championship has seen some players achieve remarkable success. Here is a list of players who have won more than once:
6 wins
- Harry Vardon (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914)
5 wins
- James Braid (1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910)
- J.H. Taylor (1894, 1895, 1900, 1909, 1913)
- Peter Thomson (1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965)
- Tom Watson (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983)
4 wins
- Old Tom Morris
- Young Tom Morris
- Willie Park Sr.
- Walter Hagen
- Bobby Locke
3 wins
- Jamie Anderson
- Bob Ferguson
- Bobby Jones
- Henry Cotton
- Gary Player
- Jack Nicklaus
- Seve Ballesteros
- Nick Faldo
- Tiger Woods
2 wins
- Bob Martin
- Willie Park Jr.
- Harold Hilton
- Arnold Palmer
- Lee Trevino
- Greg Norman
- Padraig Harrington
- Ernie Els
List of Winners of the Past 30 Years
This is a full list of British Open winners from last year 2022 back to 1993:
2022 – Cameron Smith (Australia) 2021 – Collin Morikawa (United States) 2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic 2019 – Shane Lowry (Ireland) 2018 – Francesco Molinari (Italy) 2017 – Jordan Spieth (United States) 2016 – Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 2015 – Zach Johnson (United States) 2014 – Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 2013 – Phil Mickelson (United States) 2012 – Ernie Els (South Africa) 2011 – Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland) 2010 – Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) 2009 – Stewart Cink (United States) 2008 – Pádraig Harrington (Ireland) 2007 – Pádraig Harrington (Ireland) 2006 – Tiger Woods (United States) 2005 – Tiger Woods (United States) 2004 – Todd Hamilton (United States) 2003 – Ben Curtis (United States) 2002 – Ernie Els (South Africa) 2001 – David Duval (United States) 2000 – Tiger Woods (United States) 1999 – Paul Lawrie (Scotland) 1998 – Mark O’Meara (United States) 1997 – Justin Leonard (United States) 1996 – Tom Lehman (United States) 1995 – John Daly (United States) 1994 – Nick Price (Zimbabwe) 1993 – Greg Norman (Australia)
British Open’s Influence on the Sport of Golf
The British Open has had a profound influence on the sport of golf, shaping it in countless ways. It has popularized the ‘links’ style of golf, characterized by courses located on sandy, coastal areas with few trees and deep bunkers.
Iconic Courses of the British Open
The British Open has been hosted on some of the most iconic golf courses in the world. Here’s a closer look at some of these renowned golf courses.
St. Andrews (Old Course)
Known as the “home of golf”, St. Andrews is one of the oldest golf courses in the world.
Royal St. George’s Golf Club
One of the toughest Open Championship venues, Royal St. George’s is known for its towering dunes and deep bunkers.
Carnoustie Golf Links
Often referred to as the toughest course in the Open rota, Carnoustie is infamous for its treacherous closing holes and unpredictable weather conditions.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Royal Birkdale, with its fair but challenging setup, has been a favorite among many golf legends.
Conclusion
The British Open has been a stage for golf’s greatest to showcase their skills and etch their names in the annals of golf history. Its rich history of champions reflects not only individual brilliance but also the evolving nature of the sport. The tournament continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique challenges and the undying spirit of competition.
Golf FAQs
How do PGA Golf Majors Pools work?
In PGA Golf Majors Pools, member select six golfers to compete on a roster over the course of an event. The member with the best combined score from the six golfers wins.
Can you include all four majors into one pool?
Yes, but your commissioner can also customize these setting with RunYourPool. Pools can include up to all four majors, repicking golfers each time or adding bonus points for finishing positions
How do I assemble a roster?
Golfers are broken up in to six tiers, as members select one golfer per tier to be on their Major roster.
What happens to golfers who miss the cut?
Any PGA Player who does not make the cut will be given the highest score of Round 3 and Round 4, respectively.
What are the four golf majors?
The Masters is the first major of the season, in April. The PGA Championship and the U.S. Open follow, with the British Open ending as the final major.
How do PGA One and Dones work?
Members in a pool select one golfer to win a tournament, but can't pick that golfer again for the rest of the season. The member with the best score at the end of the season wins.
What is a PGA One and Done pool?
A PGA One-and-Done Pool is a contest similar to Survivor Pools, in which members can only select a golfer one time per season for events.
Which tournaments are played for PGA One and Dones?
Pool commissioners can set up the season for as many or as few tournaments as desired. Go crazy and do all of them! Or dial it back for the major events. As commissioner of a RunYourPool contest, you decide which events to play in!
How to run a weekly golf pool?
In order to run a golf pool, you must first crown yourself as Pool Commissioner. Begin by picking a game type like One and Done or Pick-X Pools. You'll want to establish rules before inviting friends, family, and colleagues to join. As commissioner, you make the rules and also need to enforce them equally and fairly.
How do golf Pick-X Pools work?
Members select a certain number of golfers per tournament, set by the pool commissioner. The member earns the total winnings that their selected golfer won for the tournament. Whichever member earns the most winnings over the duration of the season wins.
What is a golf Pick-X Pool?
A Pick-X Golf Pool calculates tournament winnings rather than strokes gained when deciding a winner. This amplifies the big name events that feature a higher prize purse.
How to run a golf pool?
How you decide to run a golf pool varies greatly depending on the game type. In each case, however, you'll want to determine the rules and settings before you begin inviting members to join you. You'll want to clearly establish how score will be kept, how tiebreakers work, and how winners are decided before anything else.
What is a prop bet?
Prop bets are any sort of pick or wager on a game that has nothing to do with the score or the final score outcome. Props can range from game types, to team types and even player types - such as who will score the game's first and last touchdowns? Other props, such as novelty or exotic, feature bets on things such as the coin flip or the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
How do Masters Prop Bets Pools work?
Pool members simply fill out a wide range of prop questions, each question worth a different value. Commissioners decide on the point value for each question, along with the amount of questions. Whichever member earns the most points based on corret answers wins the pool.
When is the Masters?
The Masters is typically in April and the first major of the golf season. The 2023 Masters is set for Thursday, April 6 and will run until Sunday, April 9.
Where is the Masters played?
The Masters is annually held at the Augusta National Golf Club located in Augusta, Georgia, USA.
