The Best Golfers Never to Win The Open

Following the death of leading St Andrews professional Allan Robertson in 1859, it was decided that there should be a tournament established that would determine the new 'Champion Golfer' to succeed him. The Open was born at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, first played in October of the following year, which ultimately created the timeline that spawned major championship golf that we know today.

Since those days in the distant past, the Open has defined many a career and story in the game, inspiring generations and remaining an almost constant presence in the sport.

Most of the true greats have their names inscribed on the Claret Jug - and that iconic trophy stands as timeless as it is prestigious.

But despite their best efforts, many incredible players couldn't quite get over the line and become the Champion Golfer of the Year. 

Judging who are the best players never to have won the Open is a challenging task when you're considering a span of over 160 years, but there are some standouts worth mentioning.

Byron Nelson and Raymond Floyd both won the three other modern majors but didn't triumph over here, which should make them automatic candidates. World number ones such as Dustin Johnson, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Jason Day, Ian Woosnam, Vijay Singh, Adam Scott and Brooks Koepka secured major successes elsewhere but not in this championship.

But we thought it best to consider what players had actually done in the Open when trying to answer this question. Providing an overview through different eras, here are some of the best golfers never to win the most venerable championship in the game.

Andrew Kirkaldy

Known as Andra, Kirkaldy was a three-time runner-up in the championship, including twice at St Andrews, where in 1891 he finished two shots behind his brother Hugh. Kirkaldy also lost a playoff to Willie Park Jnr at Musselburgh in 1889, which was the last time that the East Lothian links hosted the event. Additionally, Kirkaldy placed third on three occasions, but despite this frequent contention, he wasn't able to claim a treasured victory.

Tom Vardon

Brother of legendary Harry - six-time Champion Golfer - Tom Vardon was overshadowed, but was nonetheless an exceptional golfer in his own right. He was a regular contender in the Open, including in 1903, when he finished second behind Harry at Prestwick.

Macdonald Smith

Born in Carnoustie, Smith was among many Scottish golfers of his era who emigrated to the United States and made his life there, winning 25 times on the PGA Tour. But he returned to the United Kingdom to compete in the Open on nine occasions, where he was twice a runner-up, including to a Grand Slam chasing Bobby Jones at Hoylake in 1930.

Dai Rees

The Welshman was one of the finest golfers from these islands, but despite regularly featuring on the leaderboard, the Claret Jug remained elusive throughout his lifetime. He was a three-time runner-up, placing second to Ben Hogan, Peter Thomson and Arnold Palmer, but one particular painful loss came at St Andrews in 1946, where he led after three rounds before succumbing to a devastating 80.

Dave Thomas

Perhaps best remembered for his prolific course design business, Thomas was a formidable golfer, playing in four Ryder Cups and twice finishing second in the Open, losing a 36-hole playoff to Peter Thomson at Royal Lytham in 1958, before a one-shot defeat to Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield in 1966.

Neil Coles

One of England's finest, who didn't achieve international acclaim due to his fear of flying prohibiting regular travel, but within Britain, there was no disputing Coles' ability and consistency. Winner of 55 professional titles, Coles shot an exceptional final round of 66 to secure a runner-up place behind Tom Weiskopf at Troon in 1973, which was one of 28 career appearances in the championship.

Christy O'Connor Snr

The Irishman, nicknamed Himself, was later referred to as Senior, following the success of his nephew of the same name. The older man was a consistent winner from the 1950s to the 70s and he placed inside the top ten in the Open on an impressive ten occasions, including a runner-up finish behind the great Peter Thomson in 1965.

Peter Oosterhuis

The late Englishman, who passed away in May 2024, was a Ryder Cup stalwart and won many tournaments worldwide, but couldn't grasp the Claret Jug despite finishing second twice; first to Gary Player in 1974 and then agonisingly by one-shot to Tom Watson at Royal Troon in 1982. Oosterhuis later became a popular broadcaster on both sides of the Atlantic, serving for many years as a commentator for CBS in America.

Ben Crenshaw

Twice a Masters champion, Crenshaw, a keen student of the sport, its history and courses, was passionate about the Open, playing in 21 of them and contending regularly throughout the 1970s and 80s. The Texan was twice a runner-up in the championship, recorded in consecutive years, in 1978 at St Andrews and 1979 at Royal Lytham. He was also third at Muirfield in 1980.

Payne Stewart

Best remembered for his two US Open successes, the proud American also fared well in the UK, losing by just one shot to Sandy Lyle at Royal St George's in 1985, while he was also runner-up behind Nick Faldo's St Andrews masterclass of 1990. Stewart played in 17 Opens, only missing the cut twice, and posting five top-ten finishes.

Bernhard Langer

The German's place in Masters folklore is secure, but he could have easily enjoyed similar status in the Open Championship. Playing in 31 of them between 1976 and 2018, Langer has been twice a runner-up (in 1981 and 1984) and recorded four third-place finishes in 1985, 1986, 1993 and 2001. Much like the Open, the most accomplished senior golfer in history remains timeless.

Jesper Parnevik

Henrik Stenson made the Open breakthrough for Sweden in 2016, but it so easily could have been Parnevik decades earlier, who lost a thriller to Nick Price at Turnberry in 1994, before returning to the Ayrshire coast three years later at Troon, where he led after 54-holes only to shoot a closing 73 as a surging Justin Leonard roared to victory with a sensational 65.

Thomas Bjorn

The Dane was a consistent winner on the European Tour across two decades, but when it came to the Open, there was heartache. Finishing a distant second to Tiger Woods at St Andrews in 2000 was no shame - but it was 2003 when a defeat really stung. Leading after 54 holes at Sandwich, Bjorn was in position before he bogeyed 15, double-bogeyed the par 3 16th (after bunker trouble) and then bogeyed the 17th, losing to the unheralded Ben Curtis by one, painful shot.

Lee Westwood

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

The former world number one has played in 27 Opens and posted top-ten finishes spanning 22 years, but the Claret Jug eluded him over those many attempts at glory. In 2009 at Turnberry, the Englishman was looking a likely winner before a stumbling finish cost him a place in the playoff with Tom Watson and eventual-champion Stewart Cink. 12 months later, he was a distant second to Louis Oosthuizen at St Andrews, while at Muirfield in 2013, he led by two after 54 holes before struggling to a closing 75.

Sergio Garcia

There always seems to be an air of drama around the Spaniard, and that is certainly true at the Open. Playing in 25 of them, he has made 20 cuts and placed inside the top ten on ten occasions, including runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2014. It was the former that was most unforgettable, as Garcia had led by three after 54 holes and missed a putt to win on the last before losing to Padraig Harrington in the playoff at Carnoustie.

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