As we gear-up for the 151st Open Championship this week, last year’s winner Cameron Smith will be trying to join a select group of golfers that have won the oldest in consecutive seasons. But, just who was the last repeat winner of this final major of the year?
The Last ‘Back-to-Back’ Open Golf Champion Was……….
Cameron Smith claimed the 150th Open Championship in 2022 and with the Aussie LIV golfer back for more this week – we decided to see when the last repeat Claret Jug winner was.
Step forward – Padraig Harrington, who claimed this famous golfing prize in ‘back-to-back’ years in 2007 and 2008.
The Irishman’s first Open win in 2007 saw him come out on top at Carnoustie (Scotland) with a score of -7, while in tough conditions the following year at Royal Birkdale a posting of just +3 was good enough to defend his crown.
Many have tried since, but Harrington remains the last golfer to successfully defend the jug.
Before Harrington It Was A Certain Tiger Woods That Doubled-Up
Prior to Harrington doing the double there was a familiar golfing face that did exactly the same.
In fact, it was in the two previous year’s before the Irishman’s wins that Tiger Woods in 2005 and 2006 also successfully defended his Open Championship crown.
How Many Repeat Open Golf Winners Have There Been?
But just how many double Open golf winners have there been?
Since the first event, back in 1860, there have been many ‘back-to-back’ winners, with the first being Scotland’s Tom Morris Sr in 1861 and 1862.
It was then Tom Morris Jr (his brother) who won the Open three years in the bounce between 1868 and 1870.
While overall the Open Championship has been won 21 times by the previous years’ winner.
Of those 21 repeat winning years, we’ve seen 16 different players do the Open double (see below).
Open Golf Championship Double Winners
- Padraig Harrington
- Tiger Woods
- Tom Watson
- Lee Trevino
- Arnold Palmer
- Peter Thomson
- Bobby Locke
- Walter Hagen
- Bobby Jones
- James Braid
- Harry Vardon
- John Henry Taylor
- Bob Ferguson
- Jamie Anderson
- Tom Morris Jr.
- Tom Morris Sr.
Tom Morris Jr. Holds The Record For The Most Opens Won In-a-Row
Harry Vardon holds the record wins in the Open with six. These victories came between 1896 and 1914, but it’s Tom Morris Jr. that holds the record for the most consecutive Open golf wins with four.
This run of successes came between 1868 and 1872 – the eagle-eyed mathematicians out there will notice this quartet of wins came over a 5-year period. But there was no event staged in 1871.
Cameron Smith Will Be The Latest Golfer To Attempt the Open Double
So, having won the Open Championship in 2022 with a score of -20 at St Andrews, Aussie Cameron Smith will be the next golfer to try and back up that success.
Smith is on offer @ 16/1 with the best UK golf betting sites to win the Claret Jug again.
It’s also interesting that he’ll be trying to emulate the Tiger Woods double in 2005 and 2006 as the former world number one notched those two wins at St Andrews and then Royal Liverpool (this year’s venue).
2023 Open Golf – Tournament Information
- ⛳️ Event: 151st Open
- 📅 Date: Thursday 20th July, 2023 – Sunday 23rd July
- 🕛 Opening Tee Time: Approx. 7am GMT
- 🏆 2022 Winner: Cameron Smith
- 📺 TV Channel: UK: Sky Sports
- 🏟 Venue: Royal Liverpool Golf Club (Hoylake)
- 🎲 Odds: McIlroy 7/1| Scheffler 8/1 | Rahm 12/1 | Cameron Smith 16/1 | Viktor Hovland 20/1
RELATED: The 151st Open Championship Betting Tips | Golf Predictions, Picks, Preview & Best Odds
2023 Open Golf Betting Odds
The latest 2023 Open golf odds that you can get by joining the best UK golf betting sites. You can see the Rory McIlroy Open odds for 2023 are 7/1 and favourite for the tournament.
- Rory McIlroy 7/1
- Scottie Scheffler 8/1
- Jon Rahm 12/1
- Cameron Smith 16/1
- Viktor Hovland 20/1
- Brooks Koepka 22/1
- Patrick Cantlay 25/1
- Tommy Fleetwood 25/1
- Rickie Fowler 25/1
- Tyrell Hatton 25/1
- Xander Schauffele 25/1
- Collin Morikawa 25/1
- Shane Lowry 33/1
- Dustin Johnson 40/1
- Jordan Spieth 40/1
Note: Others on request and odds subject to change (correct 17th July 23)
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