The Open Championship
Links Courses • Organized by The R&A • Est. 1860 • "The Original Major"
All-Time Open Championship Winners
The golfers who have won the most Claret Jugs in the world's oldest major.
Open Championship Records
Recent Champions (Last 30 Years)
Year-by-year winners of golf's oldest major
| Year | Champion | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Scottie Scheffler | 267 (-17) | Royal Portrush |
| 2024 | Xander Schauffele | 275 (-9) | Royal Troon |
| 2023 | Brian Harman | 271 (-13) | Royal Liverpool |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | 264 (-20)* | St Andrews (Old Course) |
| 2021 | Collin Morikawa | 265 (-15) | Royal St George's |
| 2020 | Canceled due to COVID-19 | ||
| 2019 | Shane Lowry | 269 (-15) | Royal Portrush |
| 2018 | Francesco Molinari | 276 (-8) | Carnoustie |
| 2017 | Jordan Spieth | 268 (-12) | Royal Birkdale |
| 2016 | Henrik Stenson | 264 (-20)* | Royal Troon |
| 2015 | Zach Johnson | 273 (-15) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
| 2014 | Rory McIlroy | 271 (-17) | Royal Liverpool |
| 2013 | Phil Mickelson | 281 (-3) | Muirfield |
| 2012 | Ernie Els | 273 (-7) | Royal Lytham & St Annes |
| 2011 | Darren Clarke | 275 (-5) | Royal St George's |
| 2010 | Louis Oosthuizen | 272 (-16) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
| 2009 | Stewart Cink | 278 (-2) | Turnberry |
| 2008 | Pádraig Harrington | 283 (+3) | Royal Birkdale |
| 2007 | Pádraig Harrington | 277 (-7) | Carnoustie |
| 2006 | Tiger Woods | 270 (-18) | Royal Liverpool |
| 2005 | Tiger Woods | 274 (-14) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
| 2004 | Todd Hamilton | 274 (-10) | Royal Troon |
| 2003 | Ben Curtis | 283 (-1) | Royal St George's |
| 2002 | Ernie Els | 278 (-6) | Muirfield |
| 2001 | David Duval | 274 (-10) | Royal Lytham & St Annes |
| 2000 | Tiger Woods | 269 (-19) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
| 1999 | Paul Lawrie | 290 (+6) | Carnoustie |
| 1998 | Mark O'Meara | 280 (E) | Royal Birkdale |
| 1997 | Justin Leonard | 272 (-12) | Royal Troon |
| 1996 | Tom Lehman | 271 (-13) | Royal Lytham & St Annes |
| 1995 | John Daly | 282 (-6) | St Andrews (Old Course) |
* Tied record low score
Championship Rota Courses
The Open rotates between nine historic links courses in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland:
- St Andrews (Old Course) — The Home of Golf, Scotland
- Royal Birkdale — Southport, England
- Royal St George's — Sandwich, England
- Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) — Wirral, England
- Royal Troon — Troon, Scotland
- Carnoustie — Carnoustie, Scotland
- Muirfield — Gullane, Scotland
- Royal Lytham & St Annes — Lytham St Annes, England
- Royal Portrush — Portrush, Northern Ireland
About The Open Championship
The Open Championship is the oldest of the four major championships, first played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club. It's the only major played outside the United States and is organized by The R&A (formerly the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews).
Links Golf Tradition
- Links Courses Only — Played exclusively on traditional seaside links courses in the UK.
- The Claret Jug — Iconic trophy first awarded in 1873, engraved with every winner's name.
- Weather Factor — Wind and rain are constant variables on exposed coastal courses.
- The Old Course — St Andrews is considered the "Home of Golf" and hosts every 5 years.
Rotation Courses
The Open rotates among a select group of links courses: St Andrews (Old Course), Royal Liverpool, Royal St George's, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Muirfield, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Royal Birkdale, Turnberry, and Royal Portrush.
The Morris Legacy
Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris dominated early Open Championships. Young Tom won 4 consecutive titles (1868-1872) and remains the youngest major champion ever at 17 years old. The family's legacy is honored at St Andrews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won the most Open Championships?
Harry Vardon holds the record with 6 victories (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914). Five players are tied for second with 5 wins each.
When did The Open Championship start?
The first Open was held in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club. Willie Park Sr. won the inaugural event, making it the oldest major championship.
What is the Claret Jug?
The Claret Jug (Golf Champion Trophy) is awarded to the winner. First presented in 1873, winners' names are engraved on it. The original is kept by The R&A; winners receive a replica.
Why is it only played on links courses?
The Open honors golf's Scottish origins by playing only on traditional links courses — seaside layouts with firm, fast turf, deep pot bunkers, and minimal trees.
Who is the youngest major champion ever?
Young Tom Morris won the 1868 Open Championship at age 17 years, 156 days — still the youngest major champion in golf history.
What was the greatest Open Championship final round?
The 2016 final round at Royal Troon is legendary: Henrik Stenson shot 63 to beat Phil Mickelson's 65 in a historic duel, with Stenson's 264 total setting the championship record.