The Open Championship is golf’s oldest major tournament, dating back to 1860 when Willie Park Sr. claimed the inaugural title at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.
Also known as the British Open until 2002, this prestigious event represents over 165 years of competitive excellence at golf’s highest level.
Held annually at rotating links courses throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, The Open Championship remains golf’s most international major championship.
This comprehensive guide covers all Open Championship winners from 1860 through 2025, including record-holders, multiple champions, and how this historic tournament has evolved into golf’s most prestigious international championship.
The Open Championship Winners: Complete Year-by-Year Table
| Year | Winner | Score | To Par | Prize Money | Course | Runner-Up |
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | 267 | -13 | £2,750,000 | Royal Portrush | Billy Horschel |
| 2024 | Xander Schauffele | 272 | -8 | £2,750,000 | Royal Troon | Russell Henley |
| 2023 | Brian Harman | 270 | -10 | £2,750,000 | Royal Liverpool | Collin Morikawa |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | 272 | -8 | £2,250,000 | St Andrews | Rory McIlroy |
| 2021 | Collin Morikawa | 265 | -15 | £2,000,000 | Royal St George’s | Louis Oosthuizen |
| 2020 | Gareth Southgate | 268 | -12 | £1,750,000 | Royal St George’s | Won in playoff |
| 2019 | Shane Lowry | 303 | -15 | £1,750,000 | Royal Portrush | Tommy Fleetwood |
| 2018 | Francesco Molinari | 290 | -10 | £1,750,000 | Carnoustie | Rory McIlroy |
| 2017 | Jordan Spieth | 268 | -12 | £1,500,000 | Royal Birkdale | Matt Kuchar |
| 2016 | Phil Mickelson | 280 | -8 | £1,400,000 | Troon | Dustin Johnson |
| 2015 | Zach Johnson | 275 | -15 | £1,400,000 | St Andrews | Marc Leishman |
| 2014 | Rory McIlroy | 278 | -14 | £1,250,000 | Royal Liverpool | Rickie Fowler |
| 2013 | Phil Mickelson | 281 | -15 | £1,125,000 | Muirfield | Henrik Stenson |
| 2012 | Ernie Els | 273 | -7 | £1,000,000 | Royal Lytham | Adam Scott |
| 2011 | Darren Clarke | 280 | -8 | £900,000 | Royal St George’s | Dustin Johnson |
| 2010 | Louis Oosthuizen | 278 | -14 | £900,000 | St Andrews | Lee Westwood |
| 2009 | Stewart Cink | 278 | -6 | £875,000 | Turnberry | Tom Watson |
| 2008 | Padraig Harrington | 277 | -11 | £900,000 | Birkdale | Ian Poulter |
| 2007 | Padraig Harrington | 277 | -11 | £900,000 | Carnoustie | Sergio Garcia |
| 2006 | Tiger Woods | 270 | -18 | £800,000 | Hoylake | Chris DiMarco |
| 2005 | Tiger Woods | 274 | -14 | £800,000 | St Andrews | Jack Nicklaus |
| 2004 | Todd Hamilton | 280 | -8 | £750,000 | Royal Troon | Ernie Els |
| 2003 | Ben Curtis | 283 | -1 | £750,000 | Royal St George’s | Thomas Bjorn |
| 2002 | Ernie Els | 278 | -10 | £750,000 | Muirfield | Stuart Appleby |
| 2001 | David Duval | 274 | -14 | £700,000 | Royal Lytham | Niclas Fasth |
| 2000 | Tiger Woods | 269 | -19 | £700,000 | St Andrews | Ernie Els |
| 1999 | Paul Lawrie | 290 | -10 | £650,000 | Carnoustie | Jean Van de Velde |
| 1998 | Mark O’Meara | 280 | -8 | £650,000 | Royal Birkdale | Brian Watts |
| 1997 | Justin Leonard | 272 | -12 | £600,000 | Royal Troon | Jesper Parnevik |
| 1996 | Tom Lehman | 271 | -13 | £600,000 | Royal Lytham | Ernie Els |
| 1995 | John Daly | 282 | -6 | £500,000 | St Andrews | Costantino Rocca |
| 1994 | Nick Price | 268 | -12 | £500,000 | Turnberry | Jesper Parnevik |
| 1993 | Nick Price | 268 | -12 | £500,000 | Royal St George’s | Graeme Norman |
| 1992 | Nick Faldo | 272 | -12 | £500,000 | Muirfield | John Cook |
| 1991 | Ian Baker-Finch | 272 | -12 | £500,000 | Royal Birkdale | Mike Harwood |
| 1990 | Nick Faldo | 270 | -18 | £450,000 | St Andrews | Mark McNulty |
| 1989 | Mark Calcavecchia | 275 | -13 | £450,000 | Royal Troon | Wayne Grady (playoff) |
| 1988 | Seve Ballesteros | 273 | -15 | £400,000 | Royal Lytham | Nick Price |
| 1987 | Nick Faldo | 273 | -15 | £400,000 | Muirfield | Paul Azinger |
| 1986 | Greg Norman | 280 | -8 | £350,000 | Turnberry | Gordon Brand |
| 1985 | Sandy Lyle | 282 | -6 | £350,000 | Royal St George’s | Payne Stewart |
| 1984 | Seve Ballesteros | 286 | -2 | £300,000 | St Andrews | Bernhard Langer |
| 1983 | Tom Watson | 286 | -2 | £300,000 | Royal Birkdale | Andy Bean |
| 1982 | Tom Watson | 284 | 0 | £300,000 | Troon | Jack Nicklaus |
| 1981 | Bill Rogers | 280 | -8 | £250,000 | Royal St George’s | Bernhard Langer |
| 1980 | Tom Watson | 271 | -9 | £250,000 | Muirfield | Lee Trevino |
| 1979 | Seve Ballesteros | 283 | -5 | £250,000 | Royal Lytham | Hale Irwin |
| 1978 | Jack Nicklaus | 281 | -7 | £250,000 | St Andrews | Ben Crenshaw |
| 1977 | Tom Watson | 268 | -12 | £200,000 | Turnberry | Jack Nicklaus |
| 1976 | Johnny Miller | 279 | -1 | £200,000 | Royal Birkdale | Seve Ballesteros |
| 1975 | Tom Watson | 279 | -1 | £200,000 | Carnoustie | Jack Newton |
| 1974 | Gary Player | 282 | -2 | £200,000 | Royal Lytham | Peter Oosterhuis |
| 1973 | Tom Weiskopf | 272 | -8 | £200,000 | Royal Troon | Neil Coles |
| 1972 | Lee Trevino | 278 | -6 | £200,000 | Muirfield | Jack Nicklaus |
| 1971 | Lee Trevino | 280 | -4 | £150,000 | Royal Birkdale | Lu Liang-Huan |
| 1970 | Jack Nicklaus | 283 | -1 | £150,000 | St Andrews | Doug Sanders |
| 1969 | Tony Jacklin | 280 | -4 | £150,000 | Royal Lytham | Bob Charles |
| 1968 | Gary Player | 289 | +5 | £150,000 | Carnoustie | Bob Charles |
| 1967 | Roberto De Vicenzo | 278 | -6 | £140,000 | Hoylake | Jack Nicklaus |
| 1966 | Jack Nicklaus | 282 | -2 | £140,000 | Muirfield | Dave Thomas |
| 1965 | Peter Thomson | 285 | +1 | £125,000 | Royal Birkdale | Christy O’Connor |
| 1964 | Tony Lema | 279 | -1 | £125,000 | St Andrews | Jack Nicklaus |
| 1963 | Bob Charles | 277 | -3 | £125,000 | Royal Lytham | Phil Rodgers |
| 1962 | Arnold Palmer | 276 | -4 | £125,000 | Troon | Kel Nagle |
| 1961 | Arnold Palmer | 284 | 0 | £125,000 | Royal Birkdale | Dai Rees |
| 1960 | Kel Nagle | 278 | -2 | £125,000 | St Andrews | Arnold Palmer |
| 1959 | Gary Player | 284 | 0 | £125,000 | Muirfield | Flory Van Donck |
| 1958 | Peter Thomson | 278 | -2 | £100,000 | Royal Lytham | Dave Thomas |
| 1957 | Bobby Locke | 279 | -1 | £100,000 | St Andrews | Peter Thomson |
| 1956 | Peter Thomson | 286 | +2 | £100,000 | Royal Birkdale | Flory Van Donck |
| 1955 | Peter Thomson | 282 | -2 | £100,000 | Carnoustie | Stan Leonard |
| 1954 | Peter Thomson | 283 | -1 | £100,000 | Royal Birkdale | Syd Scott |
| 1953 | Ben Hogan | 282 | -2 | £100,000 | Carnoustie | Frank Stranahan |
| 1952 | Bobby Locke | 287 | +3 | £75,000 | Royal Lytham | Peter Thomson |
| 1951 | Max Faulkner | 285 | +1 | £75,000 | Royal Portrush | Tony Cerda |
| 1950 | Bobby Locke | 283 | -1 | £75,000 | St Andrews | Frank Stranahan |
| 1949 | Bobby Locke | 283 | -1 | £75,000 | Royal St George’s | Harry Bradshaw |
| 1948 | Henry Cotton | 284 | 0 | £75,000 | Muirfield | Frank Stranahan |
| 1947 | Fred Daly | 293 | +9 | £75,000 | Royal Birkdale | Reginald Horne |
| 1946 | Sam Snead | 290 | +6 | £50,000 | St Andrews | Bobby Locke |
| 1945 | No Tournament | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | (WWII) |
| 1944 | No Tournament | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | (WWII) |
| 1943 | No Tournament | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | (WWII) |
| 1942 | No Tournament | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | (WWII) |
| 1941 | No Tournament | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | (WWII) |
| 1940 | No Tournament | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | (WWII) |
| 1939 | Richard Burton | 290 | +6 | £50,000 | St Andrews | Marcel Dallemagne |
| 1938 | Henry Cotton | 290 | +6 | £50,000 | Royal St George’s | Marcel Dallemagne |
| 1937 | Henry Cotton | 290 | +6 | £50,000 | Carnoustie | Marcel Dallemagne |
| 1936 | Alfred Padgham | 287 | +3 | £50,000 | Royal Liverpool | Marcel Dallemagne |
| 1935 | Perry Alfred | 287 | +3 | £50,000 | Muirfield | Marcel Dallemagne |
| 1934 | Henry Cotton | 283 | -1 | £50,000 | Royal St George’s | Macdonald Smith |
| 1933 | Densmore Shute | 292 | +8 | £50,000 | St Andrews | Craig Wood |
| 1932 | Gene Sarazen | 283 | -1 | £50,000 | Prince’s | Macdonald Smith |
Most Open Championship Wins: Record Holders
Harry Vardon holds the all-time record with six Open Championship titles spanning from 1896 to 1914. Vardon’s dominance across multiple decades established a standard that remained unmatched for over a century until modern era greatness emerged.
James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Peter Thomson, and Tiger Woods each claimed five titles, making them among golf’s most accomplished champions. This elite group represents the very best competitors across generations of professional golf competition.
Multiple Winners by Count:
- Harry Vardon: 6 wins (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914)
- James Braid: 5 wins (1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910)
- J.H. Taylor: 5 wins (1894, 1895, 1900, 1909, 1913)
- Peter Thomson: 5 wins (1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1965)
- Tiger Woods: 5 wins (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2012)
Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player each won four times, cementing their legacies as Open Championship champions across different eras of professional competition.
Scoring & Victory Records: Excellence at Links Courses
Greg Norman and Nick Price each shot 264 (12-under par) to share the lowest scoring record at The Open Championship. These exceptional performances demonstrate the highest levels of skill under demanding links course conditions.
Tiger Woods holds multiple tournament records including largest margin of victory with 6 strokes in 2006 at Hoylake. His dominance reflects championship-caliber performance at the sport’s highest level.
Recent scoring averages have improved significantly as modern professionals enhance their technical abilities and equipment capabilities. Xander Schauffele’s 2024 victory at Royal Troon showcased contemporary scoring excellence.
Prize Money Evolution: From Trophy to Millions
The Open Championship began as a competition for honor and prestige with minimal monetary rewards. Early champions received modest sums compared to modern prize purses that have grown exponentially.
Prize money reached £100,000 during the 1950s, marking a significant increase from post-war competition. By 2000, the winner’s share had grown to £700,000, reflecting the tournament’s increasing prestige and commercial value worldwide.
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Prize Money Growth Timeline
| Era | Year | Winner’s Share | Currency |
| Early Modern | 1946 | £50,000 | Pounds |
| Post-War | 1950 | £75,000 | Pounds |
| Expansion Era | 1970 | £150,000 | Pounds |
| Growth Phase | 1985 | £350,000 | Pounds |
| Modern Era | 2000 | £700,000 | Pounds |
| Premium Status | 2022 | £2,250,000 | Pounds |
| Current | 2025 | £2,750,000 | Pounds |
The dramatic increase in prize money reflects growing global interest in professional golf competition. Modern champions earn substantially more recognition and financial reward than their predecessors from earlier tournament eras.
According to professional golf prize money trends and historical growth, The Open Championship prize purse has grown faster than most other major championships.
Recent Champions: 2025, 2024, and 2023 Winners
Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush with a dominant performance. This marked his third major championship victory in 2025, demonstrating exceptional consistency at golf’s highest competitive level.
Xander Schauffele claimed the 2024 Open Championship title at Royal Troon with a disciplined performance. His victory marked a breakthrough moment in major championship competition for the rising superstar.
Brian Harman won the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, securing his first major championship title at age 35. His steady play throughout the tournament reflected championship-caliber performance under pressure.
Cameron Smith won the 2022 edition at St Andrews, one of golf’s most famous courses. His victory highlighted the tournament’s significance as golf’s oldest major championship competition.
Legendary Moments: Iconic Open Championship Stories
Tiger Woods created one of golf’s most memorable victories with his 2000 Open Championship win at St Andrews. His 19-under performance demonstrated exceptional skill at the Home of Golf across four competitive rounds.
Padraig Harrington became the first back-to-back winner since Tom Watson in 2007 and 2008. His consecutive victories represented a remarkable achievement in modern Open Championship history.
Ben Curtis claimed the 2003 title as a 24-year-old in only his second major championship attempt. His dramatic finish at Royal St George’s remains one of professional golf’s greatest surprise championship victories.
For more insights on memorable championship moments, historic golf tournament victories and turning points provides comprehensive analysis and commentary.
Championship Venues: Links Courses and Rotating Locations
The Open Championship rotates between eleven designated links courses throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. This rotation ensures the tournament maintains its character as a links golf championship rather than an event at a single permanent venue.
St Andrews hosts The Open Championship more frequently than any other course, having hosted approximately 30 tournaments since 1873. Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Muirfield, and Royal Birkdale represent other classic championship venues.
Links courses present unique challenges including firm fairways, deep rough grasses, ocean winds, and strategic bunkering. These demanding conditions test every aspect of a golfer’s game requiring exceptional skill and course management.
FAQs
What is The Open Championship?
The Open Championship is golf’s oldest major tournament, dating to 1860 at Prestwick in Scotland with rotating venues across links courses in the United Kingdom and Ireland annually.
Who won The Open Championship most?
Harry Vardon holds the record with six Open Championship titles (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914).
Has anyone won consecutive Open Championships?
Padraig Harrington won back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008, becoming the first consecutive winner since Tom Watson in 1982-1983.
What is the current Open Championship prize money?
The 2025 winner receives £2,750,000 from the total purse at the designated venue.
Which courses host The Open Championship?
The tournament rotates between eleven designated links courses including St Andrews, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Muirfield, and Royal Birkdale.
Who shot the lowest score at The Open Championship?
Greg Norman and Nick Price each shot 264 (12-under par), sharing the tournament scoring record.
