Perhaps no-one in the game of golf has ever carried as much mystique as Ben Hogan. The Texan won nine major titles, is credited with "inventing" practice, wrote one of the biggest selling books on the sport and pulled off what many believe to be sport's greatest comeback.
Mr. Mystique —
Perhaps no-one in the game of golf has ever carried as much mystique as Ben Hogan. The Texan won nine major titles, is credited with "inventing" practice, wrote one of the biggest selling books on the sport and pulled off what many believe to be sport's greatest comeback.
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After a troubled upbringing in which his father committed suicide when he was nine, Hogan already had three majors to his name by the time he suffered a near fatal car crash in February 1949. A split second before a head-on collision with a Greyhound bus, Hogan threw himself over his wife Valerie, saving both their lives.
Car wreck —
After a troubled upbringing in which his father committed suicide when he was nine, Hogan already had three majors to his name by the time he suffered a near fatal car crash in February 1949. A split second before a head-on collision with a Greyhound bus, Hogan threw himself over his wife Valerie, saving both their lives.
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Given up for dead initially, Hogan recovered from a fractured pelvis, collarbone and left ankle to rejoin the tour just 11 months later. During his recovery he was a non-playing captain of the United States team in the Ryder Cup of September 1949. People who heard him talking about a comeback reportedly dismissed his plan as "pathetic" given the extent of his injuries.
Ryder Cup rehab —
Given up for dead initially, Hogan recovered from a fractured pelvis, collarbone and left ankle to rejoin the tour just 11 months later. During his recovery he was a non-playing captain of the United States team in the Ryder Cup of September 1949. People who heard him talking about a comeback reportedly dismissed his plan as "pathetic" given the extent of his injuries.
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Not only did Hogan return, he won the U.S. Open in 1950, 16 months after his accident. With his creaking joints failing him he completed 36 grueling holes on the final day, hitting a famous one iron on the last to qualify for a playoff, which he duly won.
Miracle at Merion —
Not only did Hogan return, he won the U.S. Open in 1950, 16 months after his accident. With his creaking joints failing him he completed 36 grueling holes on the final day, hitting a famous one iron on the last to qualify for a playoff, which he duly won.
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There is a plaque in the middle of the 18th fairway at Merion in Pennsylvania to mark the spot where Hogan hit his famous one iron.
Merion monument —
There is a plaque in the middle of the 18th fairway at Merion in Pennsylvania to mark the spot where Hogan hit his famous one iron.
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Hogan played fewer events after his accident but his quality endured. He won five of the six tournaments he entered in 1953, including three major titles. He was denied the chance at a clean sweep as the PGA Championship started before he got back to the United States after winning The British Open in Scotland. Upon his return, he was given a ticker tape parade through the streets of New York.
Ticker tape parade —
Hogan played fewer events after his accident but his quality endured. He won five of the six tournaments he entered in 1953, including three major titles. He was denied the chance at a clean sweep as the PGA Championship started before he got back to the United States after winning The British Open in Scotland. Upon his return, he was given a ticker tape parade through the streets of New York.
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Hogan's famed swing, which was supremely consistent, has been attributed to a secret he developed, though there is still conjecture as to what it was. Many believe it was just his countless hours of practice that helped him achieve such dependability. He famously said: "The secret is in the dirt" -- meaning the practice range.
The secret swing —
Hogan's famed swing, which was supremely consistent, has been attributed to a secret he developed, though there is still conjecture as to what it was. Many believe it was just his countless hours of practice that helped him achieve such dependability. He famously said: "The secret is in the dirt" -- meaning the practice range.
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The Hogan Bridge at Augusta -- home of the Masters -- takes players across Rae's Creek and onto the 12th green. It was named in honor of Hogan and his then-record score when winning the 1953 tournament, his second. A plaque on it reads: "This score will always stand as one of the very finest accomplishments in competitive golf."
Hogan's Bridge —
The Hogan Bridge at Augusta -- home of the Masters -- takes players across Rae's Creek and onto the 12th green. It was named in honor of Hogan and his then-record score when winning the 1953 tournament, his second. A plaque on it reads: "This score will always stand as one of the very finest accomplishments in competitive golf."
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