The record for the most British Open victories belongs to the legendary Harry Vardon, who lifted the Claret Jug an astonishing six times. This article will not only celebrate Vardon's historic achievement but also explore the other icons of the game who have dominated The Open and break down the specific skills that allowed them to conquer the unique challenge of links golf.
In the history of The Open Championship, one name stands alone at the top: Harry Vardon. His six titles, won between 1896 and 1914, represent a standard of dominance that has yet to be surpassed. His victories came in:
Vardon was a true pioneer of the game and a member of the "Great Triumvirate" alongside J.H. Taylor and James Braid, a trio of golfers who dominated the sport at the turn of the 20th century. Beyond his wins, Vardon’s most lasting contribution to golf is the grip that bears his name. The Vardon Grip, or overlapping grip, is still the most popular way to hold a club for pros and amateurs alike. By placing the pinky finger of the trail hand over the gap between the lead hand's index and middle fingers, he created a method that united the hands, allowing them to work as a single unit. This was a game-changer for control and consistency, proving that how you hold the club is the steering wheel for your entire shot.
Vardon combined effortless power with remarkable accuracy. In an era of hickory-shafted clubs and less predictable golf balls, his ability to produce a consistent, repeatable swing was revolutionary. He was an upright swinger who managed to maintain impeccable control, allowing him to navigate the firm, windy conditions of links courses with a precision others ached for. His temperament was also a massive asset, he was described as cool and collected under pressure, a trait that undoubtedly helped him close out his record number of championships.
While Vardon sits alone with six titles, just one behind him is a Mt. Rushmore of links-golf titans. Four incredible players have each won The Open Championship five times, marking themselves as masters of their respective eras.
The second member of the Great Triumvirate, the Scotsman James Braid was known for his immense power. He often drove the ball astonishing distances for his time, giving him a distinct advantage. However, his power was matched by a deft touch and a brilliant mind for course strategy. He won all five of his titles in a single decade, a testament to his period of absolute supremacy on the linksland of Great Britain.
The final member of the Great Triumvirate, J.H. Taylor was the tactician of the group. Taylor was a master of the approach shot, particularly with his "mashie" (a club similar to a modern 5-iron). He pioneered the "pitch and run" shot, understanding that using the creative contours of the ground was often smarter than flying the ball through the air and risking the unpredictable links bounces. His thoughtful, strategic play set a blueprint for how to dismantle a links course piece by piece.
The Australian Peter Thomson is arguably the greatest links player of the modern era. His genius was in his charming simplicity. Thomson proved that you didn't have to overpower a course to beat it. He was a master of keeping the ball low, running it along the firm turf, and using the ground as his ally. He is the only golfer in the 20th century to win The Open three years in a row (1954-1956), a feat that highlights his profound understanding of links golf's unique demands. He played with an almost philosophical calm, patiently waiting for his opponents to make mistakes while he methodically stuck to his game plan.
One of golf's most beloved figures, the American Tom Watson brought an aggressive, go-for-broke style to the old courses. His five wins are highlighted by one of the greatest head-to-head contests in golf history: the 1977 "Duel in the Sun" at Turnberry, where he narrowly beat Jack Nicklaus in a breathtaking final round. Watson combined a pure ball-striking ability with incredible creativity, seemingly able to conjure up spectacular recovery shots from anywhere. He nearly produced the fairytale ending of all time in 2009, when at 59 years old, he lost in a playoff for what would have been his record-tying sixth Claret Jug.
Winning one Open is a monumental achievement. Winning multiple times requires a special set of skills tailored to the oldest form of the game. These legends didn't just play golf, they played links golf. Here are the core skills that set them apart, with tips on how you can apply them to your own game.
The number one defense of a links course is the wind. A high, floating shot that looks great on a calm parkland course can get completely derailed by a crosswind in Scotland. The greats mastered the art of the low, piercing ball flight that bores through the wind. They understood the golf swing is a rotational action to power the ball forward, not an "up and down" chopping motion to lift it.
Your Takeaway: To hit the ball lower, don't feel like you have to make a huge swing change. A simple adjustment is often enough. Try playing the ball one or two inches further back in your stance than you normally would for that club. This will put your hands slightly ahead of the ball at address. From there, just focus on making your normal swing and finishing with your hands low and extending towards the target. This simple setup change will naturally de-loft the clubface at impact, producing that lower flight.
Firm, fast turf and tight lies around the green make high, soft flop shots risky. The legends, from Taylor to Thomson, viewed the ground as their friend. The bump-and-run, a shot that gets the ball on the green and rolling like a putt as quickly as possible, is a staple of links play.
Your Takeaway: Next time you’re just off the green with plenty of fairway to work with, put the 60-degree wedge away. Consider using an 8-iron or even a 7-iron. Use your putting grip and make a simple, short putting stroke. The goal isn't to hit a "chip", it's to get the ball rolling. This shot has a much higher margin for error than a delicate pitch, especially when the pressure is on.
Links golf is a game of chess, not checkers. Pot bunkers, hidden burns, and severe gorse bushes are waiting to wreck a scorecard. The champions were masters of strategy. They knew when to be aggressive and, more importantly, when to play conservatively. Avoiding the one "blow-up" hole by making smart, unemotional decisions is often the difference between winning and losing.
Your Takeaway: Before you pull a club on the tee, identify the biggest threat. Is there a line of bunkers you can't carry? Is there out of bounds all down the left side? Make your primary goal avoiding that disaster zone. If it means hitting a 5-iron off the tee to leave yourself a longer approach shot, so be it. A bogey is always better than a triple bogey earned by taking an unnecessary risk.
Beyond the golfers with five or more titles, several other historical figures have captured the Claret Jug multiple times. The list of four-time winners includes legends like "Old Tom" Morris, "Young Tom" Morris, Willie Park Sr., Walter Hagen, and South Africa’s Bobby Locke.
In the more recent era, icons like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, and Nick Faldo have all won it three times, cementing their places in Open history.
Harry Vardon’s record of six Open Championships has stood for over a century, a lasting tribute to his immense skill and pioneering influence on the game. He heads a distinguished list of legends, from the Great Triumvirate to modern heroes like Thomson and Watson, who all mastered the beautiful and maddening puzzle of links golf.
A common thread among all these champions was their incredible decision-making. They processed the conditions, understood their abilities, and chose the right shot at the right time. Mastering that kind of on-course strategy can feel out of reach, but it doesn't have to be. For this, Caddie AI acts as your on-demand course expert. We can give you a smart tee shot strategy, help you pick a club for an approach shot, or even analyze a photo of a tricky lie to recommend the best way to play it. We provide that extra layer of confidence so you can focus on swinging committedly, just like the champions.
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