So Close Yet so Far: Legends Who Tasted Brutal Failures at the Elusive Open Championship

The Open Championship is one of the most awaited events for the golfing community all year long. Professional players have an opportunity to adding the achievement of winning a major Championship to their profiles, while the golfing world witnesses astounding gameplay on the greens.

Still, over the course of golfing history, there are many players who came close to claiming the title but missed. And now, they have run out of opportunities. Let us take a look at some of the prolific golfers who never won an Open Championship, but could have.

Byron Nelson

Arguably, among the greatest golfers of all time, John Byron Nelson Jr. is remembered for his career on the links. The late legendary American Golfer may only have traveled the circuit for 11 years from 1935-46, but he etched his name in the sport’s history. The Bob Jones Award Winner has a namesake tournament dedicated to his time on the greens. Very few young golfers had the good fortune of meeting him in person; Tiger Woods was one of them.

Back before Nelson retired at the early age of 34, he had already earned winning titles at 52 tournaments. With 5 major championships also accredited to his name, fans expected Lord Byron to win the Open Championship. Sadly, at the time of his professional golfing career, the American golfer only participated in the event once. The prize purse at the time wasn’t entirely appealing at the European Tour.

He competed at the 1937 Open Championship at the Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland, but finished in 5th position. Although he carved a place for himself in golfing history in the limited period of his professional career, sadly, the philanthropic golfer never got his name etched on the Claret Jug.

Colin Montgomerie

Another much-deserved golfer who had a claim to the title of the Open Championship is Colin Montgomerie. The Scottish professional player who has won many accolades, including 31 events on the European Tour, was a worthy candidate for the Claret Jug in his day.

In 2005, when the European Tour Order of Merit winner came very close to the title of the Open Championship, he was still 42 years old and had a shot to return. Back at the 134th Open Championship, the Scottish golfer was head-to-head with Tiger Woods. The World Golf Hall of Famer may have finished in first place with 14-under on Sunday, but the day before, Montgomerie had a one-shot lead on the Tiger.

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Sadly, during the final round, on the 11th hole, he made a bogey and couldn’t recover from the lost shot. He finished with 9-under, which was 5 shots over Tiger Woods.

The 54-time Tournament winner is still active in the PGA Tour of Champions. Unfortunately, the title of Open Championship will not be included in his profile despite the numerous accolades he continues to earn.

Bernhard Langer

There are many names in the golfing community that instantaneously bring back memories of a good game. For Bernhard Langer, it is practically his whole life that is a testament to his dedication to the sport.

The 65-year-old golfer had 42 tournament wins before joining the PGA Tour of Champions. There he broke Hale Irwin’s record of 45 Tournament wins in 2023. However, despite his incredible achievements, Bernhard Langer will always miss the Claret Jug on his golfing profile.

The two-time Masters Championship winner came close to the title thrice. Back in 1981, at the 110th Open Championship at Royal St. George’s, he finished in second position with only four shots over Bill Rogers, who claimed the title. During the 113th Open Championship in St. Andrews, he again finished second with two shots over Seve Ballesteros who won the Claret Jug.

The following year, during the 114th Open Championship, the German golfer tied for third position with Jose Rivero at St. George. He was two-over Sandy Lyle who won the championship. Then at the epic battle of 2005, he tied in 5th position, with 7-under par. He missed his chance many a time at the prestigious Open Championship but did not fret. Instead, he went on to make history.

Fred Couples

Another active golfer on the PGA Tour of Champions who seriously had a shot at the title is legendary golfer Fred Couples. The 64-year-old golfer had a legit claim to the title. Twice. However, both times he finished in third position.

The title was claimed by Ian Baker-Finch in 1991 where Couples tied for third with Mark O’Meara at the Royal Birkdale in Southport England. In 2005, golf prodigy Tiger Woods won the title, followed by Colin Montgomerie in second place, while Fred Couples tied again for third with Jose Maria Olazabal.

The golfer who witnessed Tiger Woods in the making during the latter’s rookie year as per Steve William’s book had a shot at the Open Championship. But sadly, now the title remains an unachievable dream.

Sergio Garcia

While there are many other golfers retired and active who have missed the Claret Jug by a couple of shots and lost their claim to the title, there is still one who has a prayer left. Sergio Garcia may have joined LIV Golf and almost eliminated any chance he had of winning the Open Championship, but the $3 billion merger among the Saudi-backed circuit, the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour came to his rescue.

At the infamous 2005 Open Championship in St. Andrews, Garcia tied for 5th position alongside Bernhard Langer and four others. In 2017, he finished in T2 with 15-under par alongside Rickie Fowler while Rory McIlroy claimed the trophy. But none of those losses stung as much as the 2007’s 136th Open Championship in Carnoustie.

The Spaniard was leading with 65 and 71 in the first two rounds. Then he tied with Padraig Harrington at the end of round 3 with 68 but still had a 6-shot lead going into the final round. And that’s where he made too many bogeys, missed the birdie on the final hole, and lost his title to Harrington despite a tied total of 277.

In 2023, El Nino did not make it but he still has a chance if he continues to partake in the DP World Tour Events. However, on more than one occasion, Garcia has stated his satisfaction with LIV Golf, so fans are left to wonder if he will add the title to his accolades at all.

Who do you think had the best chance among the players mentioned above? Share your thoughts and comments with us below.

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