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Who won the British Open in the year you were born?
Ian Rutherford / USA Today Sports Images

Who won the British Open in the year you were born?

This slideshow looks at every winner of the British Open since 1860 — because true golf fans need to know the champion of the year they were born (especially if they are 150 years old).

 

2018: Francesco Molinari

2018: Francesco Molinari
Ian Rutherford / USA Today Sports Images

Molinari emerged as the winner of the British Open by a two-stroke margin, shooting a 276 (-8) at Carnoustie last year.

 

2017: Jordan Spieth

2017: Jordan Spieth
Ian Rutherford / USA Today Sports Images

Spieth won his first Open Championship in 2017 by shooting 268 (-12), winning by three strokes over fellow American Matt Kuchar.

 

2016: Henrik Stenson

2016: Henrik Stenson
Ian Rutherford / USA Today Sports Images

Stenson shot 264 (-20) at Royal Troon to win the Open Championship by three strokes over Phil Mickelson.

 

2015: Zach Johnson

2015: Zach Johnson
Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Johnson won the Open Champion in 2015 after posting a -15 score.

 

2014: Rory McIlroy

2014: Rory McIlroy
Andrew Redington / Getty Images

McIlroy became the second Northern Ireland native in four years to win the Open, with a score of 271 (-17).

 

2013: Phil Mickelson

2013: Phil Mickelson
Rob Carr / Getty Images

Lefty finally won the British Open with a -3 at Muirfield.

 

2012: Ernie Els

2012: Ernie Els
Stuart Franklin / Getty Images

Els won his second British Open, posting a 273 (-7) for the tournament.

 

2011: Darren Clarke

2011: Darren Clarke
Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Clark won the British Open in 2011, still his only major championship win.

 
2010: Louis Oosthuizen
Stuart Franklin / Getty Images

Oosthuizen posted a -16 at St. Andrews. He's since finished in second place at the Masters and U.S. Open but doesn't have another major championship to his name.

 

2009: Stewart Cink

2009: Stewart Cink
Stuart Franklin / Getty Images

Cink won a playoff against Tom Watson at Turnberry after going -2 for the tournament.

 
2008: Padraig Harrington
Adrian Dennis / AFP / Getty Images

Harrington was a repeat winner. Despite going 3 over par for the tournament, Harrington won by four strokes over Ian Poulter.

 

2007: Padraig Harrington

2007: Padraig Harrington
Warren Little / Getty Images

Harrington won in a playoff over Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie, finishing at -7 for the tournament.

 

2006: Tiger Woods

2006: Tiger Woods
Stringer / AFP / Getty Images

Tiger won back-to-back British Opens and his third Open Championship overall. He came just one shot short of his record, -19 set in 2000.

 

2005: Tiger Woods

2005: Tiger Woods
Pete Fontaine / WireImage

Tiger won his second Open with a -14 at St. Andrews. He finished five strokes ahead of Colin Montgomerie.

 
2004: Todd Hamilton
David Cannon / Getty Images

Hamilton won in a playoff over former Open Champion Ernie Els after going -10 for the tournament.

 

2003: Ben Curtis

2003: Ben Curtis
Nicolas Asfouri / AFP / Getty Images

Curtis went -1 for the tournament to win in 2003.

 

2002: Ernie Els

2002: Ernie Els
Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Els won a four-man playoff against Thomas Levet, Steve Elkington and Stuart Appleby for his first Open Championship.

 

2001: David Duval

2001: David Duval
Harry How / Getty Images

Duval won by three strokes with a -10 for the tournament.

 

2000: Tiger Woods

2000: Tiger Woods
David Cannon / Getty Images

Tiger won his first British Open with an Open record -19 at St. Andrews. He won the tournament by eight strokes.

 

1999: Paul Lawrie

1999: Paul Lawrie
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty Images

Lawrie won at Carnoustie following a playoff against Jean van de Velde and Justin Leonard. The 1999 British Open is known as having one of the most epic meltdowns in sports history when van de Velde triple-bogeyed the final hole.

 

1998: Mark O'Meara

1998: Mark O'Meara
Craig Jones / Getty Images

O'Meara won in a head-to-head playoff against Brian Watts after finishing even for the tournament.

 

1997: Justin Leonard

1997: Justin Leonard
David Cannon / Getty Images

Leonard shot -12 for the tournament, winning by three strokes.

 

1996: Tom Lehman

1996: Tom Lehman
David Cannon / Getty Images

Lehman was -13 for the tournament, edging Ernie Els and Mark McCumber by two strokes.

 

1995: John Daly

1995: John Daly
J.D. Cuban / Getty Images

Daly won a head-to-head playoff against Costantino Rocca after shooting -6 for the tournament.

 

1994: Nick Price

1994: Nick Price
David Cannon / Getty Images

Price went -18 at Turnberry, winning by one stroke over Jesper Parnevik.

 

1993: Greg Norman

1993: Greg Norman
David Cannon / Getty Images

Norman won his second Open Championship, shooting -13 for the tournament.

 

1992: Nick Faldo

1992: Nick Faldo
David Cannon / Getty Images

Faldo won his third British Open and second in three years, shooting -12 at Muirfield.

 

1991: Ian Baker-Finch

1991: Ian Baker-Finch
Dan Smith / Getty Images

Baker-Finch won only his second PGA Tour Tournament after shooting -8 at the British Open.

 

1990: Nick Faldo

1990: Nick Faldo
David Cannon / Getty Images

Faldo won his second British Open, shooting an impressive -18 at St. Andrews.

 
1989: Mark Calcavecchia
Getty Images

Calcavecchia beat Wayne Grady and Greg Norman in a playoff after shooting -13 for the tournament.

 
1988: Seve Ballesteros
David Cannon / Getty Images

Ballesteros won his third Open Championship, shooting -11.

 

1987: Nick Faldo

1987: Nick Faldo
David Cannon / Getty Images

Faldo claimed his first of three British Open Championships, shooting -5 for the tournament at Muirfield.

 

1986: Greg Norman

1986: Greg Norman
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Norman won his first British Open, finishing at even par.

 

1985: Sandy Lyle

1985: Sandy Lyle
Trevor Jones / Getty Images

Lyle was the first Scotsman to win the Open Championship since George Duncan in 1920. He shot 2-over par for the tournament.

 

1984: Seve Ballesteros

1984: Seve Ballesteros
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Ballesteros won his second British Open, shooting -12 at St. Andrews.

 

1983: Tom Watson

1983: Tom Watson
David Cannon / Getty Images

Watson won back-to-back British Opens, and his fourth overall, shooting -9.

 

1982: Tom Watson

1982: Tom Watson
Al Kooistra / WireImage / Getty Images

Watson won his third Open Championship, shooting -4 at Royal Troon.

 

1981: Bill Rogers

1981: Bill Rogers
Ian Tyas / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Rogers shot -4, finishing four strokes ahead of Bernhard Langer.

 

1980: Tom Watson

1980: Tom Watson
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Watson won his second British Open in 1980, shooting -13.

 

1979: Seve Ballesteros

1979: Seve Ballesteros
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Ballesteros won his first of three British Opens, shooting -1 for the tournament.

 
1978: Jack Nicklaus
Brian Morgan / Getty Images

Nicklaus won his third Open Championship, winning by two shots after shooting -7.

 

1977: Tom Watson

1977: Tom Watson
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Watson won his second Open Championship in 1977, beating Jack Nicklaus by one stroke.

 

1976: Johnny Miller

1976: Johnny Miller
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Miller shot -9 for the tournament to win at Royal Birkdale.

 

1975: Tom Watson

1975: Tom Watson
Evening Standard / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Watson won his first of three Open Championships after beating Jack Newton in a playoff.

 

1974: Gary Player

1974: Gary Player
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Player won his third British Open in 1974, winning by four strokes.

 

1973: Tom Weiskopf

1973: Tom Weiskopf
Arthur Jones / Hulton Archive

Weiskopf won the only major championship of his career in 1973, shooting -12 at the British Open.

 

1972: Lee Trevino

1972: Lee Trevino
Central Press / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Trevino won for the second consecutive year, with a -6 at Muirfield.

 

1971: Lee Trevino

1971: Lee Trevino
Harry Dempster / Hulton Archive

Trevino shot -14 at Royal Birkdale, beating Lu Liang-Huan by one stroke.

 

1970: Jack Nicklaus

1970: Jack Nicklaus
A. Jones / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Nicklaus won his second Open Championship after beating Doug Sanders in a playoff at St. Andrews.

 

1969: Tony Jacklin

1969: Tony Jacklin
Reg Innell / Toronto Star / Getty Images

Jacklin was the first English winner at the Open Championship since Max Faulkner in 1951.

 

1968: Gary Player

1968: Gary Player
Martin Mills / Getty Images

Player won his second Open Championship nine years after his first, shooting 1-over par at Carnoustie.

 

1967: Roberto De Vicenzo

1967: Roberto De Vicenzo
Express Newspapers / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

De Vicenzo became the first Argentine to win the British Open, with a -10 at Royal Liverpool.

 

1966: Jack Nicklaus

1966: Jack Nicklaus
Ira Gay Sealy / Denver Post / Getty Images

Nicklaus won his first British Open after shooting -2 at Muirfield.

 

1965: Peter Thomson

1965: Peter Thomson
Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Thomson won his fifth Open Championship, shooting -7 at Royal Birkdale.

 

1964: Tony Lema

1964: Tony Lema
Central Press / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Lema won by five strokes over Jack Nicklaus, shooting -9.

 

1963: Bob Charles

1963: Bob Charles
Evening Standard / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Charles became the first New Zealand native to win the Open Championship after defeating Phil Rodgers in a playoff.

 
1962: Arnold Palmer
Keystone-France / Gamma-Keystone / Getty Images

Palmer won his second straight British Open, shooting -12 at Troon.

 

1961: Arnold Palmer

1961: Arnold Palmer
Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Palmer shot -4 at Royal Birkdale, winning the tournament by one stroke.

 

1960: Kel Nagle

1960: Kel Nagle
Evening Standard / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Nagle shot -10 at St. Andrews to win the British Open.

 

1959: Gary Player

1959: Gary Player
Central Press / Hulton Archive

Player finished even par for his first British Open win.

 

1958: Peter Thomson

1958: Peter Thomson
V. Wright / Hulton Archive

Thomson won his fourth Open Championship in five years, beating Dave Thomas in a playoff.

 

1957: Bobby Locke

1957: Bobby Locke
Central Press / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Locke won his fourth British Open after shooting -9 at St. Andrews.

 

1956: Peter Thomson

1956: Peter Thomson
Keystone / Hulton Archive

Thomson won his third straight Open Championship, winning at Royal Liverpool.

 

1955: Peter Thomson

1955: Peter Thomson
Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Thomson made it back-to-back British Open wins, shooting -7 at St. Andrews.

 

1954: Peter Thomson

1954: Peter Thomson
Lee / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Thomson shot -3 at Royal Birkdale, becoming the first Australian to win the tournament.

 

1953: Ben Hogan

1953: Ben Hogan
Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Hogan won his one and only Open Championship, giving him a career Grand Slam.

 

1952: Bobby Locke

1952: Bobby Locke
Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Locke won the British Open for the third time in four years, with a -1 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

 

1951: Max Faulkner

1951: Max Faulkner
Edward Miller / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Faulkner shot -3, winning the Open Championship by two strokes.

 

1950: Bobby Locke

1950: Bobby Locke
Hallowell / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Locke shot -9 for the tournament, winning back-to-back British Opens.

 

1949: Bobby Locke

1949: Bobby Locke
Keystone / Hulton Archive

Locke won his first British Open after beating Harry Bradshaw in a playoff.

 

1948: Henry Cotton

1948: Henry Cotton
Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Cotton won his third Open Championship and first since 1937.

 

1947: Fred Daly

1947: Fred Daly
Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Daly shot 5-over par at Royal Liverpool for his only career major championship win.

 

1946: Sam Snead

1946: Sam Snead
New York Times Co. / Archive Photos

Snead shot 2-over par at St. Andrews, winning the first British Opening since 1939.

 

1940-1945: No tournament

1940-1945: No tournament
A. Cook / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

The British Open wasn't held from 1940-1945 due to World War II.

 

1939: Dick Burton

1939: Dick Burton
Bettmann

Burton (left) made it six English winners of the British Open in a row, shooting -2 at St. Andrews.

 

1938: Reg Whitcombe

1938: Reg Whitcombe
Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Whitcombe shot 15-over par at Royal St. George's but still managed to win the tournament, beating Jimmy Adams by two strokes.

 

1937: Henry Cotton

1937: Henry Cotton
Popperfoto

Cotton won his second Open Championship in four years, with a 6-over par at Carnoustie.

 

1936: Alf Padgham

1936: Alf Padgham
J.A. Hampton / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Padgham shot -9 at Royal Liverpool to win in 1936.

 

1935: Alf Perry

1935: Alf Perry
J.A. Hampton / Hulton Archive

Perry had a -5 at Muirfield, beating Alf Padgham by four strokes.

 

1934: Henry Cotton

1934: Henry Cotton
Douglas Miller / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Cotton won his first of three British Opens in 1934, shooting 3-over par at Royal St. George's.

 

1933: Denny Shute

1933: Denny Shute
Louis Van Oeyen/ WRHS / Getty Images

Shute continued the run of 11 straight U.S. winners, beating Craig Wood in a playoff.

 

1932: Gene Sarazen

1932: Gene Sarazen
Central Press / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Sarazen shot -5 at Prince's Golf Club to win in 1932.

 

1931: Tommy Armour

1931: Tommy Armour
Imagno / Hulton Archive

Armour shot a 12-over par at Carnoustie, winning the Open Championship by one stroke.

 

1930: Bobby Jones

1930: Bobby Jones
Central Press / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Jones won his third Open Championship as an amateur in five years, shooting  3-over par.

 

1929: Walter Hagen

1929: Walter Hagen
Imagno / Hulton Archive

Hagen won back-to-back Open Championships and his fourth overall in 1929.

 

1928: Walter Hagen

1928: Walter Hagen
E. Bacon / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Hagen won his third British Open, shooting 12-over par.

 

1927: Bobby Jones

1927: Bobby Jones
Kirby / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Jones won his second consecutive Open Championship, this time winning at St. Andrews.

 

1926: Bobby Jones

1926: Bobby Jones
Central Press / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Jones won his first of three British Opens, shooting 7-over par and winning by two strokes.

 

1925: Jim Barnes

1925: Jim Barnes
General Photographic Agency / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Barnes (right) won the British Open after shooting 16-over par and winning by one stroke.

 

1924: Walter Hagen

1924: Walter Hagen
Kirby / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Hagen won his second British Open in three years, shooting 13-over par.

 

1923: Arthur Havers

1923: Arthur Havers
Topical Press Agency / Hulton Archive

Havers won the British Open at Royal Troon, shooting 7-over par.

 

1922: Walter Hagen

1922: Walter Hagen
Thompson / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Hagen won his first Open Championship after shooting 20-over par for the tournament.

 

1921: Jock Hutchison

1921: Jock Hutchison
Topical Press Agency / Hulton Archive

Hutchison won the Open Championship after defeating Roger Wethered in a playoff.

 

1920: George Duncan

1920: George Duncan
Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Duncan won the first British Open since 1914.

 

1910-1919

1910-1919
Central Press / Hulton Archive

1910: James Braid

1911: Harry Vardon (pictured)

1912: Ted Ray

1913: John Henry Taylor

1914: Harry Vardon

1915: No tournament (WWI)

1916: No tournament (WWI)

1917: No tournament (WWI)

1918: No tournament (WWI)

1919: No tournament (WWI)

 

1900-1909

1900-1909
Heritage Images / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1900: John Henry Taylor

1901: James Braid (pictured)

1902: Sandy Herd

1903: Harry Vardon

1904: Jack White

1905: James Braid

1906: James Braid

1907: Arnaud Massy

1908: James Braid

1909: John Henry Taylor

 

1890-1899

1890-1899
Heritage Images / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1890: John Ball

1891: Hugh Kirkaldy

1892: Harold Hilton

1893: William Auchterlonie

1894: John Henry Taylor

1895: John Henry Taylor

1896: Harry Vardon (pictured)

1897: Harold Hilton

1898: Harry Vardon

1899: Harry Vardon

 

1880-1889

1880-1889
Popperfoto / Getty Images

1880: Bob Ferguson (pictured)

1881: Bob Ferguson

1882: Bob Ferguson

1883: Willie Fernie

1884: Jack Simpson

1885: Bob Martin

1886: David Brown

1887: Willie Park Jr.

1888: Jack Burns

1889: Willie Park Jr.

 

1870-1879

1870-1879
James Hardie / Hulton Archive

1870: Tom Morris Jr.

1871: No tournament

1872: Tom Morris Jr.

1873: Tom Kidd

1874: Mungo Park

1875: Willie Park Sr.

1876: Bob Martin

1877: Jamie Anderson

1878: Jamie Anderson

1879: Jamie Anderson

 

1860-1869

1860-1869
Popperfoto

1860: Willie Park Sr.

1861: Tom Morris Sr.

1862: Tom Morris Sr.

1863: Willie Park Sr.

1864: Tom Morris Sr.

1865: Andrew Strath

1866: Willie Park Sr.

1867: Tom Morris Sr.

1868: Tom Morris Jr.

1869: Tom Morris Jr.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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