There are 16 past champions competing in the 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush

There will be 156 golfers teeing it up in the 153rd Open Championship. Among them will be 16 past champions of the oldest major in men's golf.

There will be 156 golfers teeing it up in the 153rd Open Championship. Among them will be 14 past champions of the oldest major in men's golf.

Only six past champions dating back to 2000 will miss being at Royal Portrush, July 17-20.

Photographers surround Shane Lowry as he celebrates with the Claret Jug after winning the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, United Kingdom.

There were 17 past champs ready to stick a peg in the ground but on the Sunday prior, the R&A announced that Ernie Els had withdrawn.

Past champions in the 2025 Open Championship

  • Stewart Cink, 2009
  • Darren Clarke. 2011
  • Brian Harman, 2023
  • Padraig Harrington, 2007 and 2008
  • Zach Johnson, 2015
  • Justin Leonard, 1997
  • Shane Lowry, 2019
  • Rory McIlroy, 2014
  • Phil Mickelson, 2013
  • Francesco Molinari, 2018
  • Collin Morikawa, 2021
  • Louis Oosthuizen, 2010
  • Xander Schauffele, 2024
  • Cameron Smith, 2022
  • Jordan Spieth, 2017
  • Henrik Stenson, 2016

Recent past champions not participating this year include Els (2012, 2002), Tiger Woods (2006, 2005, 2000), Todd Hamilton (2004), Ben Curtis (2003), Ernie Els (2002) and David Duval (2001).

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: British Open 2025: These are the past champions at Royal Portrush

Category: General Sports