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The stage is set at the Royal Liverpool. Come Sunday night, a champion will be crowned at the 151st Open Championship. A new name—or perhaps a familiar name—will be etched into the claret jug.
The Open Championship is the oldest tournament in professional golf, dating back to 1860, and for many around the world it is golf’s greatest title.
The list of those who have won the Open Championship is among golf’s greatest champions. Harry Vardon leads the way with six claret pitchers to his name, while a quartet of greats (including Tom Watson) have etched their names into the cup five times apiece. Other greats, like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, are at the bottom of the list by three.
No golfer has won the Open Championship seven times, a feat that will likely never be achieved. In today’s golf climate, par is at an all-time high, and long-term control is nearly impossible.
27 players have won multiple Open Championships, with a list below.
Players with multiple open tournaments win
6: Harry Vardon
5: James Pride, John Henry Tyler, Peter Thompson, Tom Watson
4: Tom Morris Sr., Tom Morris Jr., Willie Park Sr., Walter Hagen, Bobby Locke
3: Jimmy Anderson, Bob Ferguson, Bobby Jones, Henry Cotton, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Saif Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Tiger
2: Bob Martin, Willie Park Jr., Harold Hilton, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els