Harry Vardon has won the most Open Championships in golf history.
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The stage is set at Royal Liverpool. Come Sunday night, a champion will be crowned at the 151st Open Championship. A new name — or perhaps a familiar one — will be engraved in the Claret Jug.
The Open Championship is the oldest major in professional golf, dating back to 1860, and for many across the globe, it is golf’s greatest title.
The list of those who have won the Open is a who’s who of golf’s greatest champions. Harry Vardon leads the way with six Claret Jugs to his name, while a quartet of greats (including Tom Watson) has etched their names in the trophy five times apiece. Other greats, such as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, are further down the list with three a piece.
No golfer has won the Open Championship seven times, and it’s a feat that will likely never come. In today’s golf climate, parity is at an all-time high, and dominating for a long stretch is nearly impossible.
Twenty-seven players have won multiple Open Championships, with a list of those below.
Players with multiple Open Championship wins
6: Harry Vardon
5: James Braid, John Henry Tyler, Peter Thomson, Tom Watson
4: Tom Morris Sr., Tom Morris Jr., Willie Park Sr., Walter Hagen, Bobby Locke
3: Jamie Anderson, Bob Ferguson, Bobby Jones, Henry Cotton, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Tiger
2: Bob Martin, Willie Park Jr., Harold Hilton, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.