British Open 2012: Tiger Woods and Greatest Record Holders in Open History

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The British Open is the oldest of the four major golf championships, and thus it comes with a long list of amazing records. 

From Harry Vardon to Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods, the last century-plus has provided golf fans a plethora of timeless feats on the rolling hills where the game began. 

As this year's tournament approaches, let's take a look at the greatest record holders in Open championship history. 

Harry Vardon

Photo courtesy: Ingolfwetrust.com

Harry Vardon is the king of the British Open. 

Why? 

His six career victories at the tournament make him the all-time wins leader. Vardon, born in the Channel Islands, won his first Open championship in 1896 and after winning consecutively in 1898 and 1899, he triumphed in 1903, 1911 and 1914.

Though Old Tom Morris and his son, the aptly named Young Tom Morris, may be the most legendary and ancient figures in British Open history, golf's true pioneers, Vardon is the most decorated player in tournament history.  

Jack Nicklaus

Photo courtesy: americansportscollectibles.com

Not surprisingly, golfing icon Jack Nicklaus has a few British Open records of his own. 

He has 18 major titles to his name, but the gritty player from Ohio has a record seven second place finishes at the Open championship. 

Along with that, Nicklaus tied J.H. Taylor with a record 16 top-five finishes. 

The most successful golfer in major championship history certainly made his mark overseas during his illustrious career. 

Remember, Nicklaus did make it onto a 2005 Royal Bank of Scotland note. 

Greg Norman

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

Greg Norman's explosions at the Masters are well-documented and well-remembered, but the former No. 1 player in the world did win two British Opens during his roller-coaster career. 

He still hangs on to some Open championship records, too. 

His winning score of 267 in 1993 at Royal St. George's remains a record today. 

In 1986 at Turnberry, Norman fired a ridiculously low round of 63. Only seven other golfers have ever shot a 63 at the British Open. 

Nick Faldo

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Sir Nick Faldo, was always a hometown favorite at the British Open, and the sound ball-striker was able to win the British Open a respectable three times during his distinguished career. 

He too is in the exclusive club of men who've fired single rounds of 63 at the Open championship, having done so in 1993 at Royal St. George's. 

Also, and most impressively, Faldo holds the record for most rounds in the 60's with 37. 

Ernie Els trails Faldo by two rounds, and Jack Nicklaus mustered 33 such rounds at the British. 

Safe to say this Englishman knows his way around links courses. 

Tiger Woods

Warren Little/Getty Images

Two of Tiger Woods' British Open records came at fabled St. Andrew's. In 2000, he assaulted the field to win by eight shots, and his score of 19-under-par is the lowest score in relation to par in history. 

In 2005, when he again triumphed at the home of golf, Woods became one of six golfers in history to hold an outright lead at the end of each round. 

Woods' score of 281 as an amateur in 1996 at Royal Lytham, the site of this year's championship, is tied with Iain Pyman for the lowest all-time.