Winning the Claret Jug isn't just about golf. Honestly, it’s about surviving. When you look at the list British Open winners, you aren't just seeing names and scores; you’re looking at a ledger of people who didn't buckle when the North Sea wind tried to blow them into the gorse. It's the oldest major in the game, dating back to 1860, and it has a way of humbling even the greatest.
The current name at the top of the heap is Scottie Scheffler. In July 2025, he marched into Royal Portrush and basically put on a clinic, finishing at 17-under-par to secure his first Open Championship. It felt inevitable, didn't it? He’s the first world number one since Tiger Woods to actually pull it off. But the history of this tournament is littered with "sure things" who got eaten alive by a bad bounce or a sudden rain squall.
The Modern Era and the Rise of Scottie Scheffler
People were wondering if Scheffler could handle the weirdness of links golf. He did. By the time he walked off the 18th at Portrush in 2025, he’d joined a very short list of players who have dominated the game with that specific kind of relentless efficiency. He beat Harris English by four strokes. It wasn't even that close.
Before Scottie, we had Xander Schauffele in 2024 at Royal Troon. That was a big one for him, finally shedding the "best player without a major" label. And who could forget Brian Harman’s weirdly dominant performance at Hoylake in 2023? He didn't just win; he demoralized the field.
| Year | Winner | 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 | 268 (-20) | St Andrews |
| 2021 | Collin Morikawa | 265 (-15) | Royal St George's |
Cameron Smith's win at St Andrews in 2022 was a heartbreaker for Rory McIlroy fans. Smith shot a 64 on Sunday. You just can't argue with that. He tied the scoring record in relation to par at 20-under, a mark Henrik Stenson set during that legendary "Duel in the Sun" style shootout with Phil Mickelson at Troon in 2016.
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Why the List British Open Winners is So Random
If you look back through the years, you’ll see names that make you go, "Wait, who?"
Ben Curtis in 2003.
Todd Hamilton in 2004.
These guys weren't supposed to win. Curtis was ranked 396th in the world when he took down Royal St George’s. That’s the beauty of The Open. The weather is the great equalizer. You can be the best ball-striker on the planet, but if you're on the wrong side of the morning/afternoon draw and the wind starts howling at 40mph, you're toast.
Then you have the legends who seemed to own the tournament. Tom Watson has five wins. He almost had a sixth in 2009 at the age of 59, which would have been the greatest story in sports history. He missed a par putt on the 72nd hole and lost the playoff to Stewart Cink. It still hurts to think about.
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The All-Time Greats
- Harry Vardon: He holds the record with 6 wins (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914).
- Peter Thomson: Won 5 times, including three in a row from 1954-1956. Nobody does that anymore.
- Tom Watson: 5 wins between 1975 and 1983. He was the king of the links.
- Tiger Woods: 3 wins. His 2000 performance at St Andrews was probably the most perfect golf ever played. He didn't hit a single bunker all week.
The Early Days and the Morrises
Back in the 1860s, it was basically a family feud. Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris. Young Tom won four in a row (if you don't count the year they didn't play because he'd won the original belt outright). He was the first real superstar. He died at 24, shortly after his wife passed away during childbirth while he was playing a match. It’s heavy stuff.
The original prize wasn't the Claret Jug; it was a red morocco leather belt with silver buckles. Once Young Tom won it three times straight, he kept it, and they had to commission the trophy we know today.
Records That Might Never Break
Henrik Stenson’s 264 in 2016 is the lowest aggregate score. To put that in perspective, in 1860, Willie Park Sr. won with a 174. Of course, they only played 36 holes back then.
Old Tom Morris still holds the record for the largest margin of victory—13 strokes in 1862. Tiger Woods came close to that in 2000 with an 8-stroke win, but 13 is just silly.
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The oldest winner was Old Tom Morris at 46. The youngest? His son, at 17. The family legacy is literally baked into the silver of the jug.
What to Watch for Next
If you're tracking the list British Open winners to spot the next trend, keep an eye on the Americans. For a long time, Europeans dominated because they grew up in the wind. Now, with guys like Scheffler and Schauffele, the US has figured out how to flight the ball low.
Next year, the tournament heads to Royal Birkdale. It’s a beast of a course. Jordan Spieth won there in 2017 after playing a shot from the driving range—literally.
If you want to understand the history, start by looking at the venues. St Andrews is the home, but Carnoustie is "Car-nasty" for a reason. Every winner has a story of a lucky bounce or a miraculous par save from a pot bunker that looks like a grave.
Practical steps for your next Open watch-party or research trip:
- Check the Tee Times: In The Open, the "draw" is everything. If the weather turns at 2:00 PM, the morning starters have a massive advantage.
- Study the Bunkers: Unlike US courses, Open bunkers are hazards. You don't aim for the pin; you aim to just get out.
- Watch the 17th at St Andrews: The "Road Hole." It’s arguably the hardest par 4 in golf and has ruined more scorecards than any other hole on the list.
- Follow the Amateur Medal: Each year, the top amateur gets a silver medal. Many, like Bobby Jones, eventually end up on the main winners' list.
The Claret Jug stays with the winner for a year, but their name stays on the list forever. Whether it’s a legend like Nicklaus or a one-hit-wonder like Ben Curtis, they all had that one week where they were better than the elements.