Widely regarded as one of the purest and most consistent ball strikers in golf history, Ben Hogan is one of the greatest golfers to ever play the game. Hogan's career began early and began slowly, taking nearly ten years from the time he turned pro before winning his first professional tournament. However, once he truly developed his swing, he became one of the games elite players.
Hogan's Early Years
Ben Hogan was born in Stephenville, Texas on August 13, 1912. He was the youngest of three children. When Ben was nine years old, his father committed suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. Some accounts suggest that this occurred in front of Ben. Many believe this is what led to Hogan's introverted and guarded personality later in life.
Following the death of his father, Hogan and his siblings were forced to pick up jobs to help their seamstress mother keep the family afloat. At age 11 Hogan gained a job as a caddy and his love for the game of golf was born. At the age of 17, Hogan dropped out of high school in the final semester of his senior year and became a professional golfer at the Texas Open in San Antonio.
Major Tournament Record
Hogan won his first professional tournament as an individual, the North and South Open, nearly a decade after he turned pro. Once he got that first taste of victory, however, Hogan was one of the most successful players on tour. From 1940 to 1959, Hogan won 64 professional tournaments, including 9 Major Tournaments.
Hogan's Major victories include 4 U.S. Open wins, 2 Masters wins, 2 PGA Championships, and 1 Open Championship. These nine titles place Hogan in a tie for fourth all-time in career major victories. Amazingly, Hogan was able to accomplish this despite losing significant amounts of time on tour due to two years of service in the U.S. military and a car accident that nearly ended his career.
Career Threatening Accident
In February of 1949, Hogan was driving he and his wife across a Texas bridge under a shroud of heavy fog when their car collided head-on with a Greyhound bus. Hogan threw himself across the body of his wife to protect her. This action most certainly saved his own life as the steering column was driven through the driver's seat of the car.
The accident left Hogan with fractures of the pelvis, collarbone, ankle and a chipped rib. Doctors said he may never walk again. Hogan shocked the world by not only walking again but by returning to professional golf just 11 months after the accident.
Ben Hogan passed away in Texas in July of 1997. Despite a difficult childhood and a near fatal car accident, Hogan dedicated himself to working harder than any other golfer on tour. Some have said the Hogan "invented" practice. He was famous for spending more time preparing and practicing than almost anyone. It is this dedication and determination that make Ben Hogan one of the legends of the game.
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