<Li> 2015: Jordan Spieth 2015 Masters, 2015 U.S. Open </Li> <P> For the purposes of this section a runner - up is defined as someone who either (i) tied for the lead after 72 holes (or 36 holes in the case of the early championships) but lost the playoff or (ii) finished alone or in a tie for second place . In a few instances players have been involved in a playoff for the win or for second place prize money and have ended up taking the third prize (e.g. 1870 Open Championship, 1966 Masters Tournament). These players are still regarded as being runners - up . For match play PGA Championships up to 1957 the runner - up is the losing finalist . </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> <Ul> <Li> Jack Nicklaus: 19 (1960--1983) </Li> <Li> Phil Mickelson: 11 (1999--2016) </Li> <Li> Arnold Palmer: 10 (1960--1970) </Li> <Li> Sam Snead: 8 (1937--1957) </Li> <Li> Greg Norman: 8 (1984--1996) </Li> <Li> Tom Watson: 8 (1978--2009) </Li> </Ul>

Who has the most second place finishes in golf majors