The Open Championship is the oldest event in professional golf and is also the oldest major tournament in golf. It is one of the major golf tournaments along with the Masters, U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship. It is held annually on various courses in Scotland and England. 

There have been many great players and a few surprise champions who reigned supreme at The Open Championship. Wild and unpredictable finishes through the years have in fact become synonymous with this major. Here is the list of the top five golfers with the most Open Championship victories. 

Top five players with most Open Championship titles

1. Harry Vardon (six titles)

Harry Vardon has the most Open Championship titles in the event’s history. He won his first-ever championship in 1896 and then won back-to-back titles in 1898 and 1899. He won titles in 1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, and 1914. 

2. Peter Thomson (five titles)

Peter Thomson is the only golfer to win three consecutive Open Championships in the 20th century. In each of his Open Championship wins, Thomson either led or was tied going into the final round. He won the Open titles in 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, and 1965.

3. Tom Watson (five titles)

In the 1977 Open, Tom battled Jack Nicklaus down the wire. The two players were tied after 54 holes until Watson made his final shot. There is no American other than Tom Watson with more success in the event. He won trophies in 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983. 

4. J.H. Taylor (five titles)

J.H. Taylor was the pioneer of the game of golf in Britain as the first chairman of the British PGA, which was the first association of pro golfers in the world. He won titles in 1894, 1895, 1900, 1909, 1913.  

5. James Braid (five titles)

James Braid made a comeback from a two-shot deficit after round three to beat Sandy Herd at the 1910 Open Championship. After retiring, he concentrated on designing courses, and most of his designs were parklands rather than links. James won his five titles in 1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, and 1910. 

Other top players with the most titles

Players with four titles 

Tom Morris Sr, Tom Morris Jr, Willie Park Sr, Walter Hagen.

Players with three titles  

Bob Ferguson, Bobby Jones, Henry Cotton, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods.

Read More – From Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods: Top 10 Golfers With Most Runner-Up Finishes in Major Tournaments