From sun-kissed fairways to wind-blown dunes, The Open Championship has went on to add indelible pages to the rich history of golf. Below is an overview of the past ten years of Claret Jug holders, their spectacular exploits, and the storied courses that crowned them.

2013 – Phil Mickelson at Muirfield (-3)

Phil Mickelson delivered a closing-day masterclass at Muirfield, shooting an incredible 66 to claim his first Open Championship. Rubbed by many as the “best links round of his life,” Mickelson overcame demanding Sunday weather to post 281, three strokes in front, and became the seventh American to be crowned champion on British soil.

2014 – Rory McIlroy at Royal Liverpool (-17)

Rory McIlroy impressed at Hoylake, dominating wire to wire with sublime driving and nerve. On 66s, 66, 68, and 71, the Northern Irishman finished the third stage of career Grand Slam. It was an authoritative four-stroke win that placed him among the greats of the game.

2015 – Zach Johnson at St Andrews (-15)

The Old Course saw grand drama as Zach Johnson won a three-man playoff from Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman. Rain delays and wind halts tried everyone’s patience all week, but Johnson’s clutch putting and calm under pressure gave him his second career major at the home of golf.

2016 – Henrik Stenson at Royal Troon (-20)

In what is widely regarded as the best head-to-head final round in major history, Henrik Stenson beat Phil Mickelson by three shots with a closing 63. The Swede’s pinpoint iron shots and brazen putting clinched a record 264 total  then the lowest 72-hole score in major championship history.

2017 – Jordan Spieth at Royal Birkdale (-12)

Jordan Spieth weathered an early collapse on the back nine and delivered a stunning five-hole ending to win his third major. A bogey-saver on 13 and a sequence of birdie-eagle-birdie sealed the victory in classic Spieth style, beating Matt Kuchar by three strokes.

2018 – Francesco Molinari at Carnoustie (-8)

Unflappable, steady, and serene, Francesco Molinari became Italy’s first major winner by having a bogey-free last round at the intimidating Carnoustie. After Tiger Woods momentarily took the lead, Molinari went about business quietly on the hazardous back nine to record 276 and secure a two-stroke victory.

2019 – Shane Lowry at Royal Portrush (-15)

Under the adoring gaze of a home crowd in Northern Ireland, Shane Lowry produced a fairy-tale victory at Royal Portrush. A glorious Saturday 63 had created a four-stroke lead, and a hard-fought Sunday 72 repelled Tommy Fleetwood for a six-stroke victory an emotional victory that will remain long in Irish sports history.

For the first time since World War II, The Open was postponed on account of the worldwide pandemic. Golf enthusiasts had to wait another year for links enchantment.

2021 – Collin Morikawa at Royal St George’s (-15)

Competing in his first Open, Collin Morikawa displayed great composure to win his second major. A final round of 66 kept others at arms-length, as he edged past Jordan Spieth to become the first player to win two distinct majors in his debut showings.

2022 – Cameron Smith at St Andrews (-20)

In a back-nine charge that featured five straight birdies, Cameron Smith took the Claret Jug for the 150th Open on the Old Course at St Andrews. His 64 on Sunday equaled the lowest final round by a winner and beat Rory McIlroy by one stroke, courtesy of a putting exhibition for the ages.

2023 – Brian Harman at Royal Liverpool (-13)

Brian Harman shocked the world at Hoylake with precision and rock-steady nerve. Under pressure from big hitters behind him, he kept his foot down through a mix of laser-straight drives and a red-hot putter, winning by a six-shot margin and capturing his first major.

2024 – Xander Schauffele at Royal Troon (-9)

Xander Schauffele closed out a dream season with a bogey-free 65 on the final round to take the Claret Jug at Royal Troon. Defending against late attacks and fighting difficult winds, Schauffele’s total of 275 closed out a two-shot victory  his second major win of the year and a defining moment of his career.

A Legacy of Grit, Flair, and History

Every champion of the last ten years has penned his own special story from thrilling final-round comebacks to groundbreaking firsts  on the history-steeped links fairways. With the Open returning year by year, the Claret Jug continues to be a torch of excellence, beckoning the next golfer to emerge through wind, rain, and heritage.