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The birthplace of golf has witnessed many of the finest performances in golf history. Gray skies, piercing rain, howling winds and an impending sense of history await any player who challenges the British Open. A few have stood tall in the face of such challenges, and their names are now etched forever on the iconic Claret Jug.
Harry Vardon, Muirfield (1896): No man has won more British Opens than Vardon’s six, and each of those six was a masterpiece of resilience and craftsmanship. In 1896, his first and most memorable, Vardon had to survive not just four tournament rounds, but a 36-hole playoff. Imagine asking today’s gamers to deal with that.
Ben Hogan, Carnoustie (1953): Hogan won by four strokes from the field, but that’s not the real story of this particular tournament. It’s the way he did it. Hogan had only a week to learn the intricacies of links golf, and he did so at a time when most other Americans were staying home because of rough travel and small prize money. Hogan’s win meant he held the Masters, US Open and British Open titles in the same year; he is still the only player to achieve this feat.
Arnold Palmer, Royal Troon (1961): Like the other tournaments on this list, the 1961 British Open remains notable not just because of its winner, but because of its historical significance. Palmer was the first American to win since Hogan in 1953, but Palmer brought the tournament to a whole new American audience. His victory elevated the tournament in the eyes of Americans and gave it a prestige it still enjoys today. While many American players had skipped the British Open before Palmer’s victory, few did so afterwards.
Jack Nicklaus, St. Andrews (1970): At the peak of his powers, Jack Nicklaus was virtually impossible to beat, but he gave everyone around him hope that he could topple him. One such challenger was Doug Sanders, who took Nicklaus to an 18-hole playoff in 1970, only to lose outright. Sanders, who was four shots down after the 13th, charged, but Nicklaus sealed the victory with a birdie on the 18th.
Lee Trevino, Muirfield (1972): Trevino made history in two different ways at Muirfield: he defended his own title and he prevented Jack Nicklaus – the favorite entering the tournament – from winning a grand slam. Nicklaus put in a charge on Saturday and Sunday, but Trevino managed to play a parity final for a one-stroke victory. The key move: A chip-in on the 17th that stabbed Tony Jacklin’s hopes, then tied for the lead. Jacklin later admitted he wasn’t the same player after that heartbreaking loss.
Tom Watson, Turnberry (1977): Possibly the greatest Open ever played, the “Duel In The Sun” pitted Watson against Nicklaus for two intense and heartbreaking weekend rounds. With the rest of the field at least three strokes back, Nicklaus and Watson spent Sunday claiming and losing the lead, back and forth. Watson held a one-stroke lead on the final hole, but Nicklaus birdied a remarkable after a wayward tee shot. Watson birdied his own to avoid the playoffs and win the second of his five British Opens.
Seve Ballesteros, St. Andrews (1984): One of Europe’s most beloved players has won his most revered tournament. Ballesteros held off Bernhard Langer and Watson, taking victory with a birdie on the 18th. He blasted his way into history, a decision the European Ryder Cup team would later adopt as their own for years to come.
Tiger Woods, St. Andrews (2000): During his remarkable early career run, Woods won the 2000 British Open by eight strokes over Ernie Els. The victory completed the career grand slam – all four majors in a career – two years before Nicklaus achieved the feat. The 2000 victory also marked the second gem in what would be known as the “Tiger Slam”, as he would win the 2000 PGA and 2001 Masters in addition to the 2000 US Open trophy he already held. Woods finished that tournament at -19, a record score for any major championship that would stand for 15 years.
Henrik Stenson, Royal Troon (2016): What could have been. Phil Mickelson started the tournament with a 63, barely missing an 18-putt that would have given him a 62, still the lowest score in an innings in major championship history. Mickelson and Stenson dueled the rest of the way, with Stenson passing Mickelson on Saturday and shooting a magnificent 63 to win on Sunday.
Shane Lowry, Royal Portrush (2019): The significance of an Irish golfer winning the British Open held in Northern Ireland cannot be overstated. Plus, Lowry, who won by six shots, is one of the most affable players in the sport, easy to cheer on and fun to follow. Simply a great tournament, both historically and competitively.