Ben Hogan Story: How Tragedy, Hard Work, and a Historic Comeback Built a Legend
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US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical Jul 19, 1964 Columbus, OH, USA FILE PHOTO Ben Hogan hitting a putt during the 1964 PGA, Golf Herren Championship at Columbus Country Club. Columbus Ohio UNITED STATES, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMalcolmxEmmons-USAxTODAYxSportsx 5469904
Ben Hogan was told he might never walk again after a 1949 head-on collision. Instead, he staged the most grueling comeback in golf history to redefine the sport's limits.
His inspiring comeback story took its turn at his sickbed, where he told his friend, Jimmy Demaret, "I'll beat this thing. I'll be back playing there soon. I'm going to play it one shot at a time."
According to the Ben Hogan Museum, even before achieving fame, the loss of his father at the young age of nine forced him to live in uncertainty, selling newspapers at first and later working as a caddy to support himself.
The accident in February 1949 happened when Hogan jumped onto the seat to save his wife, Valerie. He suffered serious injuries, including a broken pelvis, broken collarbone, ankle, and chipped ribs. He even suffered multiple life-threatening clots during his recovery.
Historic archival images of Golf BEN HOGAN - OPEN CHAMPION 1953 after winning with the trophy Hogan won 9 major championships during his career: 4 U.S. Opens 2 Masters Tournaments 2 PGA, Golf Herren Championships 1 Open Championship British Open Known for his legendary comeback after a near-fatal car accident in 1949, which many thought would end his career. Instead, he returned to win multiple majors afterward. Famous for his meticulous practice routine and innovations in golf swing mechanics. Hogans influence is still felt today through his instructional books and the Hogan swing, which many pros study. Copyright: xMarkxNewcombex
Historic archival images of Golf BEN HOGAN - OPEN CHAMPION 1953 after winning with the trophy Hogan won 9 major championships during his career: 4 U.S. Opens 2 Masters Tournaments 2 PGA, Golf Herren Championships 1 Open Championship British Open Known for his legendary comeback after a near-fatal car accident in 1949, which many thought would end his career. Instead, he returned to win multiple majors afterward. Famous for his meticulous practice routine and innovations in golf swing mechanics. Hogans influence is still felt today through his instructional books and the Hogan swing, which many pros study. Copyright: xMarkxNewcombex
However, despite the challenges, Hogan returned to practice, hitting more than a thousand balls daily and saying once, "I always outworked everybody. Work never bothered me like it bothers some people." Just 16 months later, he was back on top.
Ben Hogan made a triumphant return
Returning to competition just over a year after the accident was impressive enough. However, at the 1950 U.S. Open, Hogan actually won the title at Merion.
It became known as the "Miracle at Merion." Ebn Hogan set himself up for the playoff against Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio after hitting a perfect 1-iron on the 18th hole.
As per Golf.com that 1-iron was stolen from his bag, and he had to wait 36 years to get it back. However, that missing 1-iron didn't stop him the following day as he shot 69 to best Mangrum and Fazio.
Just two seasons after that, he won The Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open, all in 1953. Winning the Triple Crown is a record that still stands today.
While Tiger Woods came close by winning the U.S. Open, The Open, and PGA Championship in 2000, he didn't win the exact majors that Hogan did in '53.
Ultimately, Ben Hogan won six Majors after his accident, bringing his career total to nine. A testament to his resiliency and legacy.
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Written by
Abhishek Sharma
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi