How Many Times did Tiger Woods Win the Open Championship?

By Indra Gunawan July 19, 2024 08:54

Photo by ELISE AMENDOLA / Associated Press

Tiger Woods, considered by many as the greatest of all time, has had an illustrious career filled with memorable victories, but his performances in The Open Championship are among the highlights that truly define his legacy. Over the years, Woods has clinched the Claret Jug three times, showcasing his exceptional talent, strategic brilliance, and mental toughness.

2000 The 129th Open at St Andrews

Woods' first Open Championship success was in 2000 at the Old Course, St Andrews. The American teed up at the famous links as an odds-on pre-tournament favorite, having won the U.S. Open just weeks earlier by a mind-boggling 15 shots. Woods also showed he was a cut above at St Andrews, winning by eight from Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn with an aggregate score of 19 under par, which is still the record for any major. In the end, Woods just pulled away with a final round 69, and that unusually high ceiling of his personality rose again over golf.

134th Open at St Andrews in 2005

Woods won his second Open at St Andrews five years later. After the first two rounds, Woods led Colin Montgomerie by four shots at 11 under par. Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal could never quite get close enough over the final 36 holes as Woods parred his way home to secure a nine-stroke triumph in characteristically ominous fashion.

The 135th Open at Royal Liverpool (2006)

His third Open Championship success arrived at Royal Liverpool in 2006 as Woods retained the Claret Jug just a few months after his father and mentor Earl died in May. Providing a masterclass in tactics, Woods thrived on the well-running links with his long irons and hit driver just once all week. But he charged over the winning line with three consecutive birdies from 14 before seeing off Chris DiMarco by two shots.

A less obvious element of Woods' supremacy in the Open was his propensity to open with power and then keep driving home over 72 holes. His 2000 and 2005 triumphs saw Woods begin with strong opening rounds to lay the foundation before wrestling control for good away from those around him throughout that weekend. That he has continued to perform well under such intense pressure is a testament to Woods' golfing genius.

Tiger Woods' three Open Championship wins serve to highlight his golfing brilliance. His exploits at St Andrews and Royal Liverpool may have been among the most eye-catching of his career, but those displays on links courses still entrenched him in the annals of golf history