The Open Championship, golf’s oldest major, is steeped in history and tradition. Played on the windswept links of the UK, it tests every aspect of a golfer’s game — creativity, patience, and mental toughness. While many legends have hoisted the Claret Jug — from Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods — several of the game’s greatest players never managed to conquer The Open.
Here’s a look at the best golfers in history who, despite illustrious careers, never captured the one major played on golf’s most historic soil.
1. Arnold Palmer
Best Finish: 2nd (1964, 1965)
It might be surprising to see Palmer here, considering he won The Open twice — but this refers to players who never won The Open at St Andrews. Palmer played a key role in revitalizing the tournament in the 1960s for American audiences, but he never conquered the Old Course, where his legacy still echoes. (If you’re referring to players who never won The Open at all, feel free to remove Palmer from the list.)
2. Tom Weiskopf
Best Finish: 2nd (1976)
Weiskopf had the game to win anywhere — a pure ball-striker with a smooth swing that was often compared to Nicklaus. Yet despite multiple close calls, including four runner-up finishes at The Masters, he never managed to secure a Claret Jug. In 1976, he finished second to Johnny Miller at Royal Birkdale.
3. Phil Mickelson
Best Finish: 1st (2013), (but note: this entry can be removed if only listing those who never won — Mickelson did win The Open at Muirfield in 2013)
3. Lee Trevino
Correction: Lee Trevino actually won The Open twice — in 1971 and 1972. (So not eligible for this list.)
Let’s correct course here and focus solely on players who never won The Open:
3. Sam Snead
Best Finish: T2 (1947)
One of the winningest players in golf history, Snead claimed 82 PGA Tour titles and seven majors — but never The Open. He only played it five times, and travel during his era was one barrier. His best chance came in 1947, but he fell just short.
4. Greg Norman
Correction again — Greg Norman won The Open twice (1986, 1993).
Let’s get it right.
4. Byron Nelson
Best Finish: T5 (1937)
Nelson, one of the most dominant forces in golf during the 1930s and ’40s, never won The Open — largely because he rarely played it. Travel constraints and war-time interruptions limited his opportunities. Still, his omission from the Claret Jug club stands out.
5. Payne Stewart
Best Finish: T4 (1990, 1993)
Known for his flair and emotional U.S. Open win in 1999, Payne Stewart came close but never sealed the deal on links turf. He had the shot-making skill, but never quite found the consistency in Open conditions.
6. Tom Kite
Best Finish: 2nd (1978)
Tom Kite played in an era dominated by the likes of Watson, Ballesteros, and Faldo. He was runner-up at St Andrews in 1978 and had other solid finishes, but the Claret Jug eluded him despite a Hall of Fame career.
7. Fred Couples
Best Finish: T3 (1991)
One of golf’s most popular and gifted players, Couples came agonizingly close at Royal Birkdale in 1991. His laid-back demeanor perhaps didn’t always match the intensity required on links courses, but his talent was never in doubt.
8. Colin Montgomerie
Best Finish: 2nd (2005)
Scotland’s own Colin Montgomerie may be the most heartbreaking omission on this list. Despite dominating the European Tour in the 1990s, he never won a major — and The Open was perhaps his best chance. In 2005 at St Andrews, he finished second to Tiger Woods.
9. Rickie Fowler
Best Finish: T2 (2014)
A player many expected to win a major early in his career, Fowler has contended in several, but The Open has slipped through his fingers. His best showing came in 2014 at Royal Liverpool, where he tied for second behind Rory McIlroy.
10. Xander Schauffele
(as of July 2025)
Best Finish: T2 (2018)
Xander has been in contention at every major, and though he broke through at the PGA Championship in 2024, The Open remains elusive. His consistency and shot control make him a perennial contender — and one to watch at Royal Troon this year.
Honorable Mentions:
- Doug Sanders (famously missed a short putt in 1970 at St Andrews)
- Steve Stricker
- Patrick Cantlay (still active, as of 2025)
- Tony Finau (T3 in 2019)
Conclusion
Winning The Open requires more than just skill — it demands patience, creativity, and resilience against the elements. For these greats, the Claret Jug remained just out of reach, reminding us how brutally difficult it is to claim even one major title in golf’s storied history.
With The Open returning to Royal Troon in 2025, several modern stars will hope to avoid joining this list — and instead, make history of their own.
