A look back at the winners of recent Open Championships ... and a few runners-up.
A look back at the winners of recent Open Championships ... and a few runners-up.
Paired in the final round with 14-time major winner Tiger Woods, Francesco Molinari shot a bogey-free 69 to become the first Italian-born major champion at Carnoustie. (Getty Images)
Jordan Spieth’s stellar comeback won him his third career major title - and put him three-fourths of the way to the career Grand Slam - at Royal Birkdale. (Getty Images)
Henrik Stenson won an epic duel over Phil Mickelson for his first major victory in the 2016 Open at Royal Troon. Stenson finished at a record 20 under, Mickelson at 17 under. (Getty Images)
Zach Johnson defeated Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen in a four-hole aggregate playoff to win his second major title at the 2015 Open Championship. (Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy prevailed at Royal Liverpool, shooting 17 under, for his first Open Championship victory. (Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson surprised even himself by claiming his fifth career major title and his first claret jug at Muirfield. (Getty Images)
Adam Scott blew a four-stroke lead with four holes to play in failing to win his first major in the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. (Getty Images)
Ernie Els claimed his fourth major title and his second claret jug in the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. (Getty Images)
Darren Clarke took his first major at Royal St. George’s, finishing three strokes ahead of runners-up Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. (Getty Images)
Louis Oosthuizen captured his first major title at the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship, finishing a full seven strokes clear of runner-up Lee Westwood. (Getty Images)
Stewart captured his first major championship at the 2009 Open Championship, beating 59-year-old Tom Watson in a four hole playoff. (Getty Images)
Padraig Harrington won his second consecutive Open Championship title, finishing four strokes ahead of Ian Poulter. (Getty Images)
Sergio Garcia missed his putt for par on the 18th green of the final round of the 2007 Open Championship, finishing runner-up to Padraig Harrington. (Getty Images)
Padraig Harrington beat Sergio Garcia in a playoff to take home his first major title at the 2007 Open Championship. (Getty Images)
Tiger Woods is consoled by his caddie Stevie Williams after winning his third Open Championship in July 2006, a few months after the death of his father. (Getty Images)
Tiger Woods won his 10th major championship, and second Open Championship at St. Andrews, in July 2005, beating Colin Montgomerie by five strokes. (Getty Images)
Tood Hamilton captured his first and only major tournament title at the 2004 Open Championship, defeating Ernie Els in a playoff. (Getty Images)
Ben Curtis became the first player to win his debut major in 18 years after winning the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s. (Getty Images)
Ernie Els celebrates after winning the 2002 Open Championship, ending Tiger Woods’ bid for a Grand Slam that year. (Getty Images)
David Duval won his only major tournament title at the 2001 Open Championship, three strokes clear of Niclas Fasth. (Getty Images)
Tiger Woods finished eight strokes clear of the runners-up to win his first Open Championship and his fourth major title, becoming the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam. At 19 under, Woods also set the record for lowest 72-hole score in relation to par. (Getty Images)
Jean Van de Velde triple-bogeyed the last hole at Carnoustie, squandering a five-stroke final round lead, going on to lose in a playoff to Paul Lawrie. (Getty Images)
Paul Lawrie staged the biggest comeback in Open Championship history to win in 1999, being down by 10 strokes at the start of the final round. (Getty Images)
Mark O’Meara won his second major tournament title of the year when he beat Brian Watts in a playoff at the 1998 Open Championship. (Getty Images)
Justin Leonard took home his first major championship at the 1997 Open Championship, finishing three strokes ahead of runners-up Jesper Parnevik and Darren Clarke. (Getty Images)
Tom Lehman became the first American since Bobby Jones to win at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, winning the 1996 Open Championship by two strokes. (Getty Images)
Although he would lose in a playoff with John Daly, the 1995 Open Championship is oft remembered for Constantino Rocca’s birdie putt on the 72nd hole. He sunk the 65-footer then dropped to his knees, pounding the turf. (Getty Images)
John Daly won his second major title and first Open Championship, beating Constantino Rocca in a four-hole playoff. (Getty Images)
Nick Price won his second major and first Open Championship at Turnberry in 1994, thanks to a timely eagle on the 17th hole. (Getty Images)
Greg ‘The Shark’ Norman won his second Open Championship in 1993, shooting a final-round 64, two strokes ahead of Nick Faldo. (Getty Images)
Nick Faldo won his third overall Open Championship, and second at Muirfield, in July 1992, winning by just one stroke over John Cook. (Getty Images)