With the emergence of numerous prestigious leagues, massively increased media coverage and a star-studded lineup of players including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka and many others, golf has witnessed an enormous growth in its popularity and prominence at a global level. Over the years, numerous legendary golf players, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and many others, have taken over the stage and made unending contributions in establishing golf as one of the most sought-after professional and competitive sports in the world.
In this article we will take a look at the four golf players who have set records for claiming the highest number of major titles over the years.
Top 4 Golf Players With The Most Major Titles
| Rank | Player | Major Titles |
| 1 | Jack Nicklaus | 18 |
| 2 | Tiger Woods | 15 |
| 3 | Walter Hagen | 11 |
| 4 | Ben Hogan | 9 |
Jack Nicklaus, America – 18 Major Titles
Often popularly referred to as “the Golden Bear”, the legendary former American professional golfer Jack William Nicklaus is at the first spot in our list of the top four golf players who have captured the highest number of major titles. Widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all-time, Jack Nicklaus clinched a record total of 117 professional tournaments throughout his glorious career.
Additionally, Jack Nicklaus also holds the record for the highest top three finishes in the history of the PGA Tour with a total of 167. Throughout his professional golfing career, Jack Nicklaus clinched a total of 18 major titles, which continues to be an unbeaten record till date. Owing to his ground-breaking achievements, Jack Nicklaus was inducted into the prestigious World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Tiger Woods, America – 15 Major Titles
At the second spot in our list of the top four golf players who have captured the highest number of major titles, we have another legendary American professional golfer, Tiger Woods, who is tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men’s major championships, and holds numerous golf records. Often hailed as one of the greatest golfers of his era, Tiger Woods clinched a total of 15 major titles in his star-studded professional golfing career and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.
Over the years, Tiger Woods has clinched the Masters Tournament five times in the years 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019, the PGA Championship four times in the years 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, the U.S. Open thrice in the years 2000, 2002, 2008 and the Open Championship thrice in the years 2000, 2005 and 2006.
Walter Hagen – 11 Major Titles
The late American professional golf player Walter Charles Hagen is at the third spot in our list of the top four golf players who have captured the highest number of major titles. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and prominent golfers in the first half of the 20th century, Walter Hagen clinched a total of eleven major titles throughout his golfing career.
Often popularly referred to as the “father of professional golf”, Walter Charles Hagen clinched the U.S. Open twice in the years 1914 and 1919, and in 1922, the legendary golfer established himself as the first native-born American to clinch the Open Championship, and went on to fearlessly win the Claret Jug three more times. Also, Walter Hagen clinched the PGA Championship five times in the years 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 throughout his career.
Ben Hogan – 9 Major Titles
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the four golf players who have set records for claiming the highest number of major titles over the years, we have the late American legendary professional golfer William Ben Hogan, with a total of nine major titles, who is still considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game even after decades.
Interestingly, Ben Hogan is one of only six players to have won all four majors: the Masters Tournament, the Open Championship, the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship, speaking volumes about his dominance in the game. Throughout his star-studded golfing career, Ben Hogan clinched a total of two Masters Tournaments in the years 1951 and 1953, the PGA Championship twice in the years 1946 and 1948, the U.S. Open for a record total of five times in the years 1948, 1950, 1951, 1953 and the prestigious Open Championship once in 1953.
