Which golfer won The Open Championship a record six times?

Harry Vardon won The Open Championship a record six times. His victories came in 1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911 and 1914.

Vardon’s first Open title arrived at Muirfield in 1896, and he successfully defended it at Prestwick in 1898 and 1899. His later wins came at Royal St George’s in 1903, Sandwich in 1911 and Prestwick in 1914. The 1911 championship required a playoff against Arnaud Massy.

Vardon was part of golf’s celebrated “Great Triumvirate” with J.H. Taylor and James Braid. Taylor and Braid each won The Open five times, so neither matched Vardon’s total. Peter Thomson and Tom Watson also won five times, which is why they are common alternatives in this question.

Vardon’s record is especially notable because his six victories span 18 years and came before modern equipment and sports science. He also won the U.S. Open once, in 1900, giving him seven major titles recognized in his era.