<P> Along with his record 18 major victories , Jack Nicklaus also holds the record for most runner - up finishes in major championships , with 19 , including a record 7 at the Open Championship . Phil Mickelson has the second most with 11 runner - up finishes after the 2016 Open Championship , which includes a record 6 runner - up finishes at the U.S. Open , the one major he has never won . Arnold Palmer had 10 second places , including three in the major he never won , the PGA Championship . There have been three golfers with 8 runner - up finishes -- Sam Snead , Greg Norman and Tom Watson . Norman shares the distinction of having lost playoffs in each of the four majors with Craig Wood ( who lost the 1934 PGA final -- at match play -- on the second extra hole ) . </P>
<P> Along with his record 18 major victories , Jack Nicklaus also holds the record for most runner - up finishes in major championships , with 19 , including a record 7 at the Open Championship . Phil Mickelson has the second most with 11 runner - up finishes after the 2016 Open Championship , which includes a record 6 runner - up finishes at the U.S. Open , the one major he has never won . Arnold Palmer had 10 second places , including three in the major he never won , the PGA Championship . There have been three golfers with 8 runner - up finishes -- Sam Snead , Greg Norman and Tom Watson . Norman shares the distinction of having lost playoffs in each of the four majors with Craig Wood ( who lost the 1934 PGA final -- at match play -- on the second extra hole ) . </P>
who has the most second place finishes in golf majors
who has the most second place finishes in golf majors
Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus