How many golfers have successfully defended a major in golf? Full list explored

2023 PGA Championship - Round One
2023 PGA Championship - Round One

A group of the world's best golfers who have defended a major in golf, in a show of tremendous talent and unyielding perseverance, have accomplished a remarkable and remarkable accomplishment within the sport of golf. These golfing legends have etched their names into the annals of golf history by successfully defending majors in golf championships.

Their ability to win on golf's biggest stages, not just once but numerous times, distinguishes them from the other players in their day and throughout golf's history, from legendary figures of the past to champions of the present day.

Join us as we investigate the extraordinary careers of these outstanding athletes, who have made an indelible impact on their sport by securing their titles despite intense competition and establishing themselves as true legends of the game.


Some popular defended major in golf by legends

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA
Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA

Tiger Woods created history in the new millennium by being the first golfer in a decade to successfully defend a major in golf championship. His victory at the 1999 PGA Championship, contested at Medinah, was his second major in golf victory, following his victory at the 1997 Masters. Woods won the tournament by one stroke over Sergio Garcia.

Woods continued his winning streak after establishing his dominance in the game by winning the 2000 US Open and The Open. He won the PGA Championship for the second time at Valhalla to defend a major in golf, leading or sharing the lead all four days.

Despite a difficult three-hole playoff against Bob May, Woods won by a single stroke, helped by a key birdie on the 16th hole and strong pars on 17 and 18.


Padraig Harrington - The Open 2007 and 2008

137th Open Championship - Final Round
137th Open Championship - Final Round

Padraig Harrington became the first player other than Tiger Woods to defend a major in golf championship in 18 years. Harrington accomplished this feat by winning The Open in both 2007 and 2008.

He came from behind to force a four-hole playoff with Sergio Garcia in 2007, which he won with an equal score after Garcia bogeyed the first hole. The next year, Harrington won again at Royal Birkdale, overcoming difficult circumstances to finish four strokes ahead of Ian Poulter with a score of three over par.


Nick Faldo - The Masters 1989 and 1990

The Masters - Nick Faldo
The Masters - Nick Faldo

Famous golfer Nick Faldo achieved the remarkable achievement of defending his Masters title in 1989 and 1990. After winning The Open in 1987, Faldo demonstrated his tenacity by overcoming a playoff defeat at the US Open in 1988.

At the 1989 Masters, he faced off against Scott Hoch in a sudden-death playoff, which Faldo won with a birdie on the 11th hole.

Faldo found himself in another playoff in 1990, this time against Raymond Floyd. Despite starting the final day three strokes behind Floyd, Faldo managed to tie the score and win with a par on the 11th hole.


Brooks Koepka - US Open - 2017 and 2018

PGA Championship - Brooks Koepka
PGA Championship - Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka made history by successfully defending his US Open title for the first time in over three decades. Koepka demonstrated his talent by winning consecutive US Opens in 2017 and 2018.

In 2018, Koepka had a share of the lead going into the final round at Shinnecock Hills and took control with early birdies. Despite a bogey on the final hole, he kept his cool and held off a charging Tommy Fleetwood to win by one stroke with a two-under 68.

Players Defended a Major in Golf at Different Championships

Masters Competition:

  • Jack Nicklaus: After winning the Masters in 1965, Nicklaus defended his championship in 1966 and defended a major in golf.
  • Nick Faldo: After winning the Masters in 1989, Faldo successfully defended it in 1990.
  • Tiger Woods: After winning the Masters in 2001, Woods successfully defended his title in 2002.

The US Open:

  • Ben Hogan: After winning the US Open in 1950, Hogan defended his championship in 1951.
  • Curtis Strange: After winning the US Open in 1988, Strange successfully defended his championship in 1989.
  • Brooks Koepka: After winning the US Open in 2017, Koepka successfully defended his title in 2018, defending a major in golf.

The British Open Championship (Open Championship):

  • Bobby Locke: After winning the Open Championship in 1949, Locke defended it in 1950.
  • Peter Thomson: Peter Thomson successfully defended his Open Championship title from 1954 to 1956, winning the championship three times in a row.
  • Arnold Palmer: After winning the Open Championship in 1961, Palmer defended it in 1962.
  • Lee Trevino: After winning the Open Championship in 1971, Trevino successfully defended it in 1972, defending a major in golf.
  • Tom Watson: Watson won the Open Championship in 1982 and defended it in 1983.
  • Tiger Woods: After winning the Open Championship in 2005, Woods defended it in 2006.
  • Padraig Harrington: After winning the Open Championship in 2007, Harrington successfully defended it in 2008.

The PGA Championship

  • Tiger Woods: After winning the PGA Championship in 1999, Woods successfully defended his championship in 2000.
  • Tiger Woods: PGA Championship 2006 and 2007, defended a major in golf.

These players have defended a major in golf and demonstrated great talent, consistency, and mental fortitude, cementing their position in golf history.

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