British Open Champions

Once the U.S. Open is in the books, the world’s best golfers turn their attention across the pond for the British Open — or, as the locals know it, simply “The Open.”

In contrast to the U.S. Open, players at the British contend with links courses and coastal conditions that can make each day a new adventure. Like the U.S., it’s an intense test of golf that produces champions both familiar (Tiger Woods, three times in the past eight years) and relatively obscure (Paul Lawrie, Todd Hamilton).

With Woods sidelined by a bum knee, the field was a bit more open (or “Open,” if you will) in 2008. Padraig Harrington took full advantage, defending the championship he claimed in 2007.

Who preceded him? The list of the previous 10 winners includes:

2006 — Tiger Woods

2005 — Tiger Woods

2004 — Todd Hamilton

2003 — Ben Curtis

2002 — Ernie Els

2001 — David Duval

2000 — Tiger Woods

1999 — Paul Lawrie

1998 — Mark O’Meara

1997 — Justin Leonard

To see the rest, visit Opengolf.com