Jackson Reid
Ben Hogan is considered one of the greatest golfers in history. In 1949, Hogan was involved in a near-fatal car accident, and doctors doubted he would ever walk again. However, in 1950, he made a remarkable comeback to the sport, winning the U.S. Open and exemplifying resilience and determination. This article will explore Hogan's journey to the 1950 U.S. Open, his performance during the tournament, and the impact of his victory on his career and the sport of golf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Ben Hogan golf in 1950? | Yes, he won the 1950 U.S. Open. |
| Ben Hogan's golfing career | Spanned 42 years. |
| Ben Hogan's golfing style | Known for his precision and revolutionary approach to training. |
| Number of major championships won by Ben Hogan | 9 |
| Ben Hogan's other career highlights | Won the Masters Tournament, The Open Championship, the PGA Championship, and designed golf equipment. |
| Ben Hogan's early life | Born in 1912, turned professional at 17, and overcame a near-fatal car accident in 1949. |
| Ben Hogan's legacy | Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, and author of the influential book "Five Lessons". |
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What You'll Learn
Ben Hogan's 1950 comeback
Ben Hogan is considered one of the greatest golfers in history. His comeback in 1950 just 16 months after a near-fatal car accident, is often described as the greatest in sports history.
Hogan turned professional at 17 and won his first major in 1946, taking the PGA title. By 1948, he had been named 'Golfer of the Year'. However, in 1949, Hogan was involved in a serious car crash. He suffered a broken pelvis, collarbone, ankle and a smashed rib, as well as multiple cuts and bruises. His wife Valerie, who was also in the car, only received minor injuries. Doctors doubted he would survive, and if he did, they did not believe he would ever walk again, let alone play golf.
But Hogan was determined to prove them wrong. By May 1949, he was able to walk three holes on a course. In September, he fulfilled his duties as Ryder Cup captain in England, and in December, he played his first 18 holes at Colonial Country Club.
In 1950, Hogan made his comeback to the PGA Tour at the Los Angeles Open. He tied with Sam Snead over 72 holes but lost the 18-hole playoff. Hogan's comeback shocked and amazed the golf world. Five months later, he completed his comeback, defeating Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio in an 18-hole playoff at Merion near Philadelphia to win his second U.S. Open title.
Hogan's victory at the 1950 U.S. Open is known as "The Miracle at Merion". Before each round, Hogan soaked in a hot bath filled with Epsom salts, wrapped each leg in bandages, and took aspirin to dull the pain. He kept the discomfort to himself, not wanting to show weakness. It took Hogan four days, five rounds, and 356 strokes to capture the U.S. Open, exemplifying his resilience and determination.
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The 1950 US Open
The 1950 U.S. Open was the 50th edition of the tournament, held from June 8 to June 11 at the East Course of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. The tournament witnessed the comeback of Ben Hogan, one of the greatest golfers in history, who won his second U.S. Open title, just 16 months after suffering severe injuries in a life-threatening car accident.
Hogan, who started his golf activities again in November 1949, returned to the PGA Tour at the 1950 Los Angeles Open, where he tied with Sam Snead but lost the playoff. Despite the accident and a long break from the sport, Hogan was a favourite at the 1950 U.S. Open, owing to his win at the previous Open in 1948 and his impressive performance in the early months of the 1950 season.
The 1950 U.S. Open was a challenging tournament for Hogan, who was still recovering from his injuries. He needed long, warm baths in Epsom salts and extensive leg massages before each round, and he wore elastic bandages from his groin to his ankles. Despite the physical challenges, Hogan played well and was tied for third after Round 3, two shots behind the leader, Lloyd Mangrum. George Fazio was tied for eighth, six strokes off Mangrum's lead. Hogan's performance in the final round was exceptional. He birdied the 17th and parred the 18th, sealing his victory.
Hogan's win at the 1950 U.S. Open, his first major championship after his accident, is considered one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. It exemplified his courage, tenacity, and determination. This victory marked the beginning of a successful run for Hogan, who went on to win several more championships, including the U.S. Open in 1951 and 1953, the Masters Tournament in 1951 and 1953, and the British Open (Open Championship) in 1953.
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Hogan's near-fatal car accident
On February 2, 1949, Ben Hogan and his wife Valerie were driving home to Fort Worth after a Monday playoff loss at the Phoenix Open in Arizona. Hogan, who was driving a 1949 Cadillac sedan, reduced his speed due to limited visibility caused by ground fog. As their car approached a narrow bridge, a Greyhound bus attempted to pass another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision.
Hogan's quick reflexes and self-sacrificing actions saved his and his wife's lives. He threw himself in front of Valerie, protecting her from the impact. The steering column of the car was punctured and thrust into the driver's seat, where Hogan would have been sitting had he not moved. The couple was trapped in the wreckage, pinned against the dashboard by luggage from the back seat. After a delay in obtaining an ambulance, they were rushed to El Paso's Hotel Dieu hospital, where Hogan would spend the next two months recovering.
Hogan suffered severe injuries in the accident, including a double-fracture of the pelvis, a fractured collarbone, a left ankle fracture, a chipped rib, and near-fatal blood clots in his lungs. Doctors expressed doubts about whether the 36-year-old golfer would ever walk again, let alone return to professional golf. However, Hogan's determination and extensive rehabilitation proved them wrong. He returned to the PGA Tour in 1950, just 11 months after his accident, making what is considered one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.
Hogan's comeback began at the 1950 Los Angeles Open, where he tied with Sam Snead over 72 holes but lost the 18-hole playoff. He continued to defy the odds by winning the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia. This victory was especially remarkable given the physical challenges Hogan faced. He required extensive leg rubs, warm baths, and elastic bandages to manage his pain and mobility issues. Despite these challenges, Hogan went on to achieve twelve more PGA Tour wins, including six majors, after his accident.
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The Los Angeles Open
Hogan's performance at the Los Angeles Open was significant as it marked his return to competitive golf after a long absence due to his injuries. He had been a top golfer before his accident, winning 37 tournaments between his discharge from the Army in August 1945 and 1949. Despite his success, he had not captured the hearts of his fans due to his perceived cold and aloof on-course persona. However, his comeback performance at the Los Angeles Open changed that, as he amazed fans and earned their respect and admiration.
Hogan's performance at the Los Angeles Open and throughout the 1950 season inspired future generations of golfers and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He is known for his profound influence on golf swing theory, his assiduous practice, and his ball-striking skill. His precise swing earned him the nickname "The Hawk." In addition to his nine career professional major championships, Hogan also left his mark on the sport through his influential book, "Five Lessons," and the prestigious Ben Hogan Award for top college golfers.
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Hogan's golf legacy
William Ben Hogan, born in 1912, is considered one of the greatest golfers in history. His golf career spanned 42 years, during which he won 62 tournaments, nine of which were major championships, including four U.S. Opens.
Hogan's profound influence on golf swing theory, his assiduous practice, and his ball-striking skill are widely acknowledged. He is considered one of the finest ball strikers ever to play the game, with Jack Nicklaus, himself a highly knowledgeable observer, proclaiming that Hogan was the best ball striker he had ever seen.
Hogan's comeback in 1950, just 11 months after a near-fatal car accident, is considered one of the greatest in sports history. He won the U.S. Open that year, along with the Los Angeles Open. His victory at the U.S. Open was particularly remarkable, as doctors had doubted that he would ever walk again following the accident. Hogan's determination and iron will, combined with his golfing prowess, created an aura that intimidated his opponents.
Hogan's insights into the game were compiled in the 1957 book "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf", co-authored by Herbert Warren Wind and illustrated by Anthony Ravielli. The book encapsulates his philosophies and techniques, ensuring his legacy would endure long after he left the golf course.
In addition to his golfing prowess, Hogan also had a talent for business. In 1953, he started his own golf club manufacturing company, leveraging his knowledge of metalworking from his childhood as the son of a local blacksmith. Hogan's legacy extends beyond his sporting achievements, as he is also remembered as an enduring symbol of resilience and mastery.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ben Hogan golfed in 1950.
Ben Hogan's greatest comeback was in 1950, at the US Open in Merion, Philadelphia, where he won despite a near-fatal car accident 16 months earlier.
Ben Hogan had a storied career as a golfer, winning nine major championships and influencing golf swing theory and training. He turned pro at 17 and played golf for over four decades, retiring in 1971.
Ben Hogan is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and received the Bob Jones Award, the highest honour given by the US Golf Association, in 1976.
