View source for Ben Hogan

{{short description|American professional golfer (1912–1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox golfer
| name              = Ben Hogan
| image             = Ben Hogan NYWTS.jpg
| imagesize         = 
| caption           = Hogan in New York City in 1953
| fullname          = William Ben Hogan
| nickname          = The Hawk, Bantam Ben, The Wee Iceman
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1912|8|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Stephenville, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|1997|7|25|1912|8|13|mf=y}}
| death_place       = [[Fort Worth, Texas]], U.S.
| height            = {{height|ft=5|in=8+1/2}} 
| weight            = {{convert|145|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| nationality       = {{USA}}
| spouse            = {{marriage|Valerie Fox|1935}}
| partner           =
| children          = <!--none-->
| college           = <!--none-->
| yearpro           = 1930
| extour            = [[PGA Tour]]
| prowins           = 69
| pgawins           = 64 ([[List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins|4th all-time]])
| otherwins         = 5
| majorwins         = 9
| masters           = '''Won''': [[1951 Masters Tournament|1951]], [[1953 Masters Tournament|1953]]
| usopen            = '''Won''': [[1948 U.S. Open (golf)|1948]], [[1950 U.S. Open (golf)|1950]], [[1951 U.S. Open (golf)|1951]], [[1953 U.S. Open (golf)|1953]]
| open              = '''Won''': [[1953 Open Championship|1953]]
| pga               = '''Won''': [[1946 PGA Championship|1946]], [[1948 PGA Championship|1948]]
| wghofid           = ben-hogan
| wghofyear         = 1974
| award1            = [[PGA Tour#Money winners and most wins leaders|PGA Tour<br />leading money winner]]
| year1             = 1940, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1948
| award2            = [[PGA Player of the Year]]
| year2             = 1948, 1950, 1951, 1953
| award3            = [[Vardon Trophy]]
| year3             = 1940, 1941, 1948
| award4            = [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Associated Press<br />Male Athlete of the Year]]
| year4             = 1953
| award5            = [[Hickok Belt]] 
| year5             = 1953
| award6            = [[Bob Jones Award]] 
| year6             = 1976
| awardssection     = 
| module          = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
 | signature       = Ben_Hogan_signature.jpg
 }}
}}
{{Infobox military person
|allegiance    = {{USA}}
|branch        = [[File:US Army Air Corps Hap Arnold Wings.svg|15px]] [[United States Army Air Forces|U.S. Army Air Forces]]
|rank          = [[File:US-O3 insignia.svg|12px]] &nbsp;[[Captain (United States O-3)|Captain]]
|unit          = [[Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth#World War II|Fort Worth Army Air Field]]
|serviceyears  = 1943–1945
|battles       = <!-- World War II -->
|awards        =  
}}
'''William Ben Hogan''' (August 13, 1912 – July 25, 1997) was an American [[professional golfer]] who is considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golf Legends - Ben Hogan |url=http://www.golflegends.org/ben-hogan.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516124520/http://www.golflegends.org/ben-hogan.php |archive-date=May 16, 2006}}</ref> He profoundly influenced [[golf swing]] theory, and was noted for his [[Glossary of golf#Ballstriking|ballstriking]] skill and assiduous practice. Hogan won nine [[Men's major golf championships|major championships]] and is one of six men to complete the modern [[Grand Slam (golf)|career grand slam]].  

Hogan was introduced to golf through [[caddying]] at age 11 and turned professional when he was 17. He struggled at the start of his career and did not win a professional tournament until he was 26. After serving in the [[U.S. Army Air Forces]] from 1943 to 1945, Hogan claimed his first major championship at the [[1946 PGA Championship]], which was one of his 13 tournament victories that year. He won the [[1948 U.S. Open (golf)|1948 U.S. Open]] with a record score of 8-under 276.

In 1949, Hogan was in a near-fatal head-on collision with a bus while driving home from a tournament. He sustained serious injuries, but recovered and returned to professional golf, winning the [[1950 U.S. Open (golf)|1950 U.S. Open]] in what became known as the "miracle at Merion". Hogan achieved the [[Triple Crown (golf)|Triple Crown]] in 1953, with victories at the [[1953 Masters Tournament|Masters Tournament]], the [[1953 U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] and the [[1953 Open Championship|Open Championship]]. In total, he won 64 professional tournaments recognized as [[PGA Tour]] events.

Outside of playing golf, Hogan started [[Ben Hogan Golf Company|his own equipment company]] and authored ''Ben Hogan's Five Lessons'', which became one of the most influential and best-selling golf books. He was named an inaugural inductee to the [[World Golf Hall of Fame]] in 1974.

==Early life==
William Ben Hogan<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. pp. XVII</ref> was born in [[Stephenville, Texas]], on August 13, 1912. He was the third and youngest child of Clara (née Williams) and Chester Hogan. The family lived in nearby [[Dublin, Texas]], where Chester worked as a [[blacksmith]].<ref name=dodson/> Hogan's grandfather and namesake William Hogan was a blacksmith for the [[1st Mississippi Cavalry Regiment]] in the [[American Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2024 |title=The Ben Hogan Museum - Authentic Texas |url=https://authentictexas.com/the-ben-hogan-museum/ |access-date=July 29, 2025 |website=authentictexas.com}}</ref><ref name=sampson/> The Hogans were of Irish descent.<ref name=sampson>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. pp. 2–4</ref> After the war, William worked as a tenant farmer then moved from Mississippi to Dublin, Texas, where Hogan's father Chester was born in 1885.<ref name=dodson>Dodson, James. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/XTHBAgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Authorised Biography], 2013</ref> William opened a blacksmith shop in Dublin. Chester worked as a bottler at [[Dublin Dr Pepper]], before inheriting William's blacksmith shop. As a child, Hogan (who went by the name Ben)<ref name=towery/> spent much of his time around the shop, where he was regarded as a shy but polite boy who calmed horses which were in line to be shoed.<ref name=dodson/> 
 
As the blacksmith trade declined due to automobiles replacing horses, Chester spiraled into debt; Hogan biographer [[James Dodson (author)|James Dodson]] stated Chester "became so despondent that he could barely lift a hammer".<ref name=dodson/> In 1921, the family sold their house in Dublin and rented a small house in downtown [[Fort Worth]], where Clara worked as a seamstress to support the family and arranged for Chester to be treated by a doctor for his "black moods". On February 13, 1922, Chester shot himself with a [[.38]] revolver in the family home in Fort Worth. By some accounts, Hogan was in the same room as his father at that time, although Dodson noted this was uncertain as the Hogan family afterwards refused to discuss the incident and contemporary newspapers gave conflicting reports whether Hogan witnessed his father's suicide or not. He had regarded his father as his hero and he could not bear to see him in a casket during the funeral.<ref name=dodson/> The suicide troubled Hogan for the remainder of his life.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 18, 2004 |title=The Hard Life of a Golfing Great |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jun2004/nf20040618_7190_db028.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=October 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308013656/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jun2004/nf20040618_7190_db028.htm |archive-date=March 8, 2012}}</ref>
 
The family incurred financial difficulties after Chester's suicide, and the children took jobs to help their mother make ends meet. Hogan's brother Royal quit school aged 14 and delivered office supplies, sold copies of the ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]'' on street corners. pumped gasoline at a service station, and later took night classes to study accounting. Clara described Royal as her "[[rock of Gibraltar]]" and said he was crucial to sustaining the family. Nine-year-old Hogan also sold newspaper copies at a nearby train station, and his sister Princess helped by babysitting local children.<ref name=dodson/> In a 1983 interview with [[Ken Venturi]], Hogan said he was grateful for his difficult childhood: "Because I know tough things, and I had a tough day all my life, and I can handle tough things. ... And every day that I progressed was a joy for me, and I recognized that. I don't think I could have done what I've done if I hadn't had the tough days to begin with."<ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan_s_Five_Lessons/7RcSEQAAQBAJ Ben Hogan's Five Lessons]. 2024</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2025 |title=How has Ben Hogan's mystique endured? It's simple, and complicated |url=https://golf.com/news/features/ben-hogan-aura-mesmerizing-ever/ |access-date=August 4, 2025 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Introduction to golf==
A tip from a friend led Hogan to [[caddying]] at age 11 at Glen Garden Country Club in Fort Worth. He walked seven miles each way to the club.<ref>{{cite book |first=Mark |last=Frost |author-link=Mark Frost |title=The Match: Hogan, Nelson, Venturi, Ward, and the day that changed the game of golf forever |publisher=Sphere Books |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-847-44163-8 |page=116}}</ref> Hogan was enticed by hearing caddies could make $0.65 ({{Inflation|US|0.65|1924|fmt=eq}}) per round. Glen Garden had a driving range and the members rarely used it, which meant caddies were free to hit balls while waiting for a bag to carry. Hogan hit more balls than any other caddie. He received pointers from the club professional Ted Longworth on basics such as gripping the club. Outside of this, Hogan was self-taught through watching the swings of the players he caddied for and through trial and error.<ref name=barrett>Barrett, David. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Miracle_at_Merion/JFqCDwAAQBAJ Miracle at Merion]. 2010</ref>

Hogan did not show natural ability at golf, but had an intense work ethic and improved rapidly. Caddies at Glen Garden had a game where the shortest hitter would have to retrieve all the balls from the range, which motivated Hogan to become a long hitter despite his slight stature.<ref name=barrett/> In his attempt to gain distance, he began hooking the ball, a tendency which plagued him for years afterwards.<ref name=miller>Miller, Jeff. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Grown_at_Glen_Garden/NWeBa0ZukWUC Grown at Glen Garden]. 2012</ref> Hogan's mother Clara initially discouraged him from golf as she did not see a future in it. She unfavorably compared him to his older brother and said Hogan's golf was "nothing", adding that "nothing divided by nothing is nothing", a phrase which Hogan later used throughout his life. He persisted with golf despite the criticism.<ref name=slovick>Slovick, Lyle. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Trials_and_Triumphs_of_Golf_s_Greatest_C/hPMMDAAAQBAJ Trials and Triumphs of Golf's Greatest Champions]. 2016</ref> Hogan also attempted to play [[American football]] but he proved too small, and [[baseball]] did not pique his interest. He later said: "Why golf did I do not know, but I just loved it." After seeing [[Walter Hagen]] arrive in an extravagant car and clothing for the [[1927 PGA Championship]] in Dallas, Hogan decided that "if golf could make it possible for a fellow to live like that, then I would have a fling at it myself."<ref name=slovick/> 
 
One of Hogan's fellow caddies at Glen Garden was future major champion [[Byron Nelson]], who was six months older than Hogan. The two became friends, but never close friends.<ref name=slovick/> At the annual Christmas caddie tournament in 1927, when both were 15, Nelson sank a {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} putt on the final hole to tie the match and force a playoff. Hogan had a putt to win the match on the first extra hole, but he then was informed the format had changed from sudden death to a nine-hole playoff. He ultimately lost the playoff on the final green, after Nelson holed another long putt.<ref name=miller/> Hogan later said that he felt Nelson had received preferential treatment at Glen Garden.<ref name=towery>Towery, Jacqueline Hogan., Towery, Robert., Barbour, Peter. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Brothers_Hogan/VBZQBAAAQBAJ The Brothers Hogan]. 2014.</ref> When Nelson was chosen to receive junior membership at Glen Garden instead of him the following year, Hogan became determined to surpass Nelson.<ref name=slovick/>

Once he turned 16 and reached the age-limit for caddying, Hogan began working in Glen Garden's golf shop, where he repaired and polished clubs. He recalled of this time: "Boy, I'd look at those clubs and they were the most beautiful things, Nichols and Stewarts, all made in Scotland. I got my own set of mongrel clubs out of a dime store barrel for a dollar a piece."<ref name=slovick/> As he was no longer a caddie and had not received membership, Hogan was not allowed to practice at Glen Garden. He instead practiced at the nearest public course, Katy Lake.<ref name=towery/> In September 1928, Hogan competed in a match play championship held at River Crest Country Club in Fort Worth. He made eagle on the final hole to force extra holes against defending champion M. L. "Happy" Massingill, but was eliminated on the 19th hole. Hogan also impressed in the tournament's long-drive contest, leading fellow competitor Ed Stewart to say of the {{convert|130|lb|adj=on}} Hogan: "It's a good thing that kid don't weigh about 170."<ref name=miller/> As a Christmas present in 1928, Clara bought Hogan a set of clubs. She later stated that, upon receiving the clubs, Hogan proclaimed: "Mama, I'm going to be the greatest golfer that ever lived."<ref name=dodson/> 
 
In 1929, while still in high school, Hogan won the Cleburne Invitational at Cleburne Country Club, where he defeated 52-year-old John Douglas in the final. This was Hogan's first win in a significant tournament.<ref name=miller/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilmore |first=Preston |date=February 24, 2025 |title=Legends Junior Tour Spring Preview heads to Cleburne Golf Links - TGA |url=https://txga.org/legends-junior-tour-spring-preview-heads-to-cleburne-golf-links/ |access-date=July 30, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In July of that year, he finished second in the Southwest Amateur in [[Shreveport, Louisiana]], losing in the final to Gus Moreland.<ref name=miller/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gus Moreland {{!}} Texas Golf Hall of Fame |url=https://www.texasgolfhof.org/exhibit/gus-moreland |access-date=July 30, 2025 |website=www.texasgolfhof.org}}</ref> Hogan then won the Dublin-DeLeon tournament in August. He shot a course-record 68 to advance to the final, where he defeated George Meredith. This was Hogan's last amateur victory before turning professional.<ref name=miller/> By this stage, he was prioritizing golf ahead of his formal education. He decided to drop out of [[R. L. Paschal High School|Central High School]] in Fort Worth and attempt to become a professional golfer.<ref name=slovick/> Hogan persuaded his mother that he would make up for his lack of a diploma by doubling his efforts to read newspapers and books.<ref name=dodson/>

==Turns professional==
===1930–1936: Early struggles===
As a 17-year-old, Hogan was hired as an assistant at Oakhurst Country Club, a nine-hole course in downtown Fort Worth.<ref name=barrett/> The job paid less than $30 ({{Inflation|US|30|1929|fmt=eq}}) per week, but it permitted him to practice whenever customers were not around.<ref name=dodson/> Hogan made his professional tournament debut in January 1930 at the [[Texas Open]], a [[PGA Tour]] event held at [[Brackenridge Park Golf Course]] in San Antonio. He hitched a ride from Fort Worth and paid $5 ({{Inflation|US|5|1930|fmt=eq}}) as a registration fee.<ref name=dodson/><ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 37</ref> Amidst the [[Great Depression]], Hogan felt that he could not afford to spend time playing amateur tournaments,<ref name=dodson/> remarking: "You can't eat trophies."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brackenridge Park Golf Course {{!}} Texas Golf Hall of Fame |url=https://www.texasgolfhof.org/exhibit/brackenridge-park-golf-course |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=www.texasgolfhof.org}}</ref> He shot rounds of 78-75 and withdrew.<ref name="corcoran">{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2023 |title=Hollywood Hogan: Ben Hogan dominated everywhere in his prime — especially Los Angeles |url=https://golf.com/travel/ben-hogan-dominated-los-angeles-golf/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> He stated afterwards: "I found out the first day that I shouldn't even be there."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 39</ref> A week later, Hogan competed in the [[Houston Open (early PGA Tour)|Houston Open]], where he shot 77-76 and again withdrew.<ref name=slovick/>
 
Hogan returned to Fort Worth and took on various jobs, such as mopping floors in a restaurant and bellhopping at the [[Blackstone Hotel (Fort Worth, Texas)|Blackstone Hotel]]. He also worked as a [[croupier]] at night at the hotel, a job which he became ashamed of and was reluctant to mention afterwards.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 47</ref> Hogan continued his diligent practice. He would practice to the point that his hands bled, and once the skin blistered and cracked open he soaked his hands in pickle brine to toughen them. He made his second attempt to play on tour in late 1931, having received $75 ({{Inflation|US|75|1931|fmt=eq}}): 25 from his brother, and 50 from businessman Marvin Leonard, whom Hogan had met while caddying at Glen Garden. He joined fellow Texan [[Ralph Guldahl]] and headed west.<ref name=dodson/> 
 
At the [[Pasadena Open]] In December 1931, Hogan failed to finish inside the money as he struggled with a smother hook. Sponsors of the tournament gave competitors a bag of oranges, which he lived off for a week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Jim |date=February 4, 1990 |title=Ben Hogan: the Man, the Myth and the New Tour |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-04-sp-362-story.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> He earned his first check as a professional in January 1932 at the [[Los Angeles Open]], shooting 71-72-79-69 to receive $50 ({{Inflation|US|50|1932|fmt=eq}}).<ref name=corcoran/> He cashed another check at the [[Agua Caliente Open]], shooting 295 over four rounds to earn $200.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1932 |title=1932 Agua Caliente Open Hogan won $200 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-1932-agua-calie/174714813/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |pages=9}}</ref> He also placed in the money at the [[Phoenix Open]], which Guldahl won. Hogan then followed the tour east, but had little success. Paying for his own food, transportation and accommodation while on the road, he soon whittled away his earnings and returned to Texas broke. Hogan then secured a position as club professional at Nolan River Country Club, a small club in [[Cleburne, Texas]].<ref name=miller/> He received $35 ({{Inflation|US|35|1932|fmt=eq}}) per week, and rented a room in the back of the club at a nominal price. At Nolan River, Hogan spent a significant amount of his time in the golf shop reshafting clubs from [[hickory golf|hickory]] to steel, which gave him a deeper understanding of club construction and mechanics. The club had few members and he rarely was requested to give formal lessons, leaving him ample time to practice and attempt to fix his tendency towards snap hooks.<ref name=dodson/><ref name="Hogan">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 43</ref> 
 
Hogan made two more failed attempts to play on tour in 1933 and 1934. In the latter attempt, he made his first appearance in a major championship, at the [[1934 U.S. Open (golf)|1934 U.S. Open]] held at [[Merion Golf Club]], where he shot 79-79 to miss the cut.<ref name=barrett/> Hogan married Valerie Fox in 1935, and considered quitting the sport as he felt that he was failing to provide for his wife by unsuccessfully pursuing a career as a touring professional. She refused to let him quit and functioned as a form of [[sports psychologist]].<ref>Rotella, Bob. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/How_Champions_Think/ifguDAAAQBAJ How Champions Think]. 2016.</ref> He recalled: "She kept saying, 'You can't give up now. You're so close. I just know it'."<ref name=slovick/> Hogan's mother later stated that "Valerie is the only one who can honestly say, 'I told you so.' The rest of us hoped Ben would make it, but Valerie was always sure he would."<ref>Gregston, Gene. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/s536U9oY8hkC Hogan The Man who Played for Glory]. 1978. p. 35</ref> Hogan qualified for the [[1936 U.S. Open (golf)|1936 U.S. Open]] at [[Baltusrol Golf Club]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 12, 1936 |title=1936 US Open Qualifier, Hogan 1st |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-1936-us-open-qu/174712271/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |pages=12}}</ref> where he again missed the cut, shooting 75-79.<ref name="google.com">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 48</ref>

===1937–1941: Breakthrough on tour===

After amassing $1,400 ({{Inflation|US|1400|1937|fmt=eq}}) in savings, Hogan made another attempt to play on tour beginning in 1937. He brought Valerie along with him, as his "secretary, treasurer, and wardrobe mistress".<ref name=barrett/> By the time he entered the [[Oakland Open]] at [[Sequoyah Country Club]] in January 1938, they were down to $86.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 49</ref> They stayed at the Leamington Hotel in Oakland, and Hogan parked his car across the street to avoid paying the hotel's parking fee. When he exited the hotel on the morning of the first round, he discovered that his car's wheels had been stolen.<ref>McCormack, Mark. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Wonderful_World_of_Professional_Golf/38Z-QRpcR-0C The Wonderful World of Professional Golf], 1973. p. 292</ref><ref name=frost>Frost, Mark. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Match/C6Em-ZHxfwsC The Match]. 2011</ref> Childhood friend and fellow competitor [[Byron Nelson]] gave him a ride to the course. Hogan ultimately finished the tournament in sixth-place, shooting a final-round 67 to earn $285. This enabled him to continue playing on tour.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 50</ref>

At the [[Sacramento Open (PGA Tour)|Sacramento Open]] the following week, Hogan finished third and received $350 ({{Inflation|US|350|1938|fmt=eq}}). He then received an offer to become assistant professional at Century Country Club in [[Purchase, New York]], a wealthy club which offered him a comfortable salary. Two months later, Hogan made his debut at the [[1938 Masters Tournament]], where he finished tied-25th. In September of that year, he partnered with [[Vic Ghezzi]] to win the [[Hershey Four-Ball]]. The pair opened with a best-ball 61, and Hogan made 31 birdies in the 126-hole tournament, six more than anyone else in the field.<ref name=dodson/> Despite holding a large lead, he remained determined and emotionless on the final holes. Ghezzi remarked that: "If we had lost, I am quite certain that [Hogan] would have jumped out of a window." This was Hogan's first professional victory, and they earned $1,100 ({{Inflation|US|1100|1938|fmt=eq}}).<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 57</ref> Hogan ended the year at 13th in the PGA Tour's money list, and he later stated this was the turning point of his career.<ref name=dodson/>
 
Hogan had been invited to the Hershey Four-Ball thanks to [[Henry Picard]], who convinced the organizers at [[Hershey Country Club]] that the as-yet-winless Hogan was a talented player. Picard also helped Hogan by advising him that weakening his grip might alleviate the tendency to hook the ball. Hogan had received a similar tip to cure the hook in 1937 from [[Harry Cooper (golfer)|Harry Cooper]], who noticed that Hogan was letting go of the club slightly at the top of his backswing then regripping it stronger during the downswing than he had done at address.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 69</ref> Hogan continued to have success on tour in 1939. He finished runner-up at the [[Phoenix Open]] in February, and ninth at the [[1939 Masters Tournament]] in April. Hogan made the cut for the first time at the [[1939 U.S. Open (golf)|1939 U.S. Open]], held at [[Philadelphia Country Club]] in June, which was won by Nelson. Although he did not win during the year, Hogan recorded 16 top-10 finishes and placed seventh on the money list.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 64</ref>
 
Hogan's significant breakthrough came in 1940. He recorded his first individual win in a professional tournament at the [[North and South Open]] in March, held at [[Pinehurst No. 2]] in North Carolina. He shot a record 11-under 277 to finish three shots ahead of runner-up [[Sam Snead]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 70</ref> Hogan followed this with a nine-stroke win at the [[Greater Greensboro Open]] the next week. He added his third straight win at the Asheville Land of the Sky Open at the end of March, shooting 67-68-69-69 to win by three strokes. Although he had previously struggled on the greens, Hogan displayed top-class putting during this winning streak.<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 71">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 71</ref> During the trophy presentation at Pinehurst, Hogan said: "They've kidded me about practicing so much. I'd go out there before a round and practice, and when I was through I'd practice some more. Well, they can kid me all they want because it finally paid off."<ref>{{Cite web |title=About {{!}} Ben Hogan {{!}} Pinehurst Golf Resort |url=https://www.pinehurst.com/about/ben-hogan-pinehurst-legend-born/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Pinehurst Resort |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/big-spring-daily-herald-apr-01-1940-p-3/|title=Big Spring Daily Herald Archives, Apr 1, 1940, p. 3|date=April 1, 1940|website=NewspaperArchive.com|accessdate=September 18, 2025}}</ref> Hogan added his fourth win of the year at the [[Goodall Palm Beach Round Robin]] in May, and ended 1940 as the PGA Tour's money list leader, with over $10,000 ({{Inflation|US|10000|1940|fmt=eq}}) in earnings. He also received the [[Vardon Trophy]] for lowest scoring average.<ref name=towery/>

[[File:Ben Hogan 1941.jpg|thumb|Hogan in September 1941]]
In 1941, Hogan was hired as head professional at Hershey Country Club. He filled the vacancy left by Picard, who recommended that Hogan receive the job. He did not give lessons, and his role was largely ceremonial in that he would represent Hershey while playing tournaments and visit the club to give the members a close-up look at an elite golfer's swing. He received annual payment in the region of $4,000 ({{Inflation|US|4000|1941|fmt=eq}}).<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 66</ref> Members at Hershey recalled that Hogan had a meticulous attitude towards practice, focusing on each shot on the range as he would during a tournament.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 68</ref> During the year, Hogan had eleven runner-up finishes and won five times, including at the [[Hershey Open]]. He again topped the tour's money list, with over $18,000 ({{Inflation|US|18000|1941|fmt=eq}}), and won the Vardon Trophy for a second time. Despite this, he stated that he was not yet satisfied with his play.<ref name=barrett/>

===1942–1945: Hale America Open victory and military service===

Hogan started 1942 by winning the [[Los Angeles Open]] and the [[San Francisco Open]] in January. At the [[Texas Open]] in February, he finished runner-up for the third consecutive year. Hogan won his second [[North and South Open]] in March, and his third consecutive Asheville Land of the Sky Open at the start of April.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 85</ref> The following week, at the [[1942 Masters Tournament]], Hogan shot 67 on Saturday, the lowest round of the day by four strokes, to move into contention.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 86</ref> He shot 2-under 70 in the final round to finish in a tie for first alongside [[Byron Nelson]]. In the ensuing 18-hole playoff, Hogan shot 70 but was defeated by one stroke. This extended Hogan's drought in the majors.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 88</ref>
 
Due to World War II, the U.S. Open was cancelled in 1942. In its place, the [[USGA]] and the [[PGA of America]] organized the [[Hale America Open]] in June. Subject to the same open qualifying system as the U.S. Open, it drew over 1,000 attempted qualifiers and the field included many of the top players on tour. It was held at Chicago's [[Ridgemoor Country Club]], which was not a U.S. Open venue.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 84</ref> Hogan opened with a 72, then followed with a 10-under 62 to take the lead. He shot 69-68 on the weekend to win by three strokes ahead of [[Jimmy Demaret]] and [[Mike Turnesa]]. Hogan was presented with the gold medal as traditionally given to a U.S. Open champion by USGA director [[Joseph Dey]]. Due to these factors, Hogan's supporters and some golf historians considered this to be a major championship victory for Hogan. Officially, the tournament is not recognized as a major championship.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=McAfee |first=James |date=June 6, 2011 |title=Did Ben Hogan Win Five U.S. Opens? |url=http://www.exegolf.com/magazin19th-hold/retro/39556-did-ben-hogan-win-five-u-s-opens.html |url-status=dead |journal=Exegolf Magazine |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731112430/http://www.exegolf.com/magazine/19th-hold/retro/39556-did-ben-hogan-win-five-u-s-opens.html |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=September 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hanley |first=Reid |date=June 16, 1992 |title=Hale America: A U.S. Open? |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/06/16/hale-america-a-us-open/ |access-date=September 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alvarez |first=Rob |date=June 23, 2011 |title=Museum Moment: The Hale America National Open Golf Tournament |url=http://www.usgamuseum.com/about_museum/news_events/news_article.aspx?newsid=216 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111015812/http://www.usgamuseum.com/about_museum/news_events/news_article.aspx?newsid=216 |archive-date=November 11, 2011 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |publisher=USGA Museum}}</ref> The event was recognized as a PGA Tour victory, and helped Hogan end the year as the tour's money list leader for the third consecutive year.<ref name=dodson/>
 
Hogan did not play a tournament in 1943. He received his [[draft notice]] on March 1, and was inducted into the [[United States Army Air Forces]] on March 25. Hogan served in non-combat roles during the war. He was admitted to [[Officer Candidate School (United States Army)|Officer Candidate School]] in Miami; he passed and was promoted to second lieutenant later that year. He then returned to Fort Worth and joined the [[Civilian Pilot Training Program]] unit, where he received $225 ({{Inflation|US|225|1943|fmt=eq}}) per month.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 91</ref> When aviators returning from overseas arrived in Fort Worth, they were deemed more qualified flight instructors, so Hogan's responsibilities decreased.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 93</ref><ref name=strege>Strege, John. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/When_War_Played_Through/6QP9_XoJnkoC When War Played Through]. 2006.</ref> He was afforded time to continue practicing golf and was permitted to play a handful of events when the tour resumed in 1944, including the [[Chicago Victory Open]] in June, where he lost in a playoff to [[Jug McSpaden]]. He also offered golf instruction to returning pilots who had been wounded in action. Shortly before being honorably discharged on August 5, 1945, Hogan was promoted to the rank of [[Captain (United States O-3)|captain]].<ref name=strege/> He received a personal letter of gratitude from President [[Harry S. Truman]].<ref name=dodson/>
 
While Hogan was enlisted, Byron Nelson, who was exempt from military service, established himself as the leading player on tour. Nelson won eight tournaments in 1944, and eighteen in 1945, including an unprecedented eleven-straight victories.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 94</ref> At the [[Nashville Invitational]] in September 1945, Hogan won his first tournament since being drafted, shooting 19-under to win by four ahead of Nelson and [[Johnny Bulla]]. Later that month, at the [[Portland Open Invitational]], he won again, finishing 14 strokes clear of runner-up Nelson. Hogan's score of 27-under 261 broke the PGA Tour scoring record in relation to par; this record stood for 53 years, until [[John Huston]] shot 28-under at the [[Hawaiian Open]] in 1998.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 16, 1998 |title=IN HAWAII, HUSTON SETS RECORD STRAIGHT |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/02/16/in-hawaii-huston-sets-record-straight/e7640695-e208-4c94-a81c-f024efef868d/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Hogan ultimately won five tournaments in his return to the tour in 1945, the last being the [[Orlando Open (golf)|Orlando Open]] in December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1945 |title=HOGAN, WITH 270, WINS ORLANDO GOLF; Hershey Pro Has 4-Under-Par 67 to Take $10,000 Tourney by Six-Stroke Margin M'SPADEN, REVOLTA TIED Runners-Up Are All Even at 276 and Snead and Ransom Finish Together at 277 $29,000 Winner in Four Months Hamilton Shoots a 64 THE LEADING SCORES (Published 1945) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/12/03/archives/hogan-with-270-wins-orlando-golf-hershey-pro-has-4underpar-67-to.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===1946–1948: Establishing dominance, first major titles===

Hogan won four tournaments in the first three months of 1946, including the [[Texas Open]]. He entered the [[1946 Masters Tournament]] among the favorites to win, and two of Augusta National's members had bet $50,000 ({{Inflation|US|50000|1946|fmt=eq}}) on Hogan at 4/1 odds. Outsider [[Herman Keiser]] led [[wire-to-wire]] to claim victory, one stroke ahead of Hogan.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 98</ref> The following month, Hogan won the inaugural [[Colonial National Invitation]], held at [[Colonial Country Club (Fort Worth)|Colonial Country Club]] in Fort Worth. At the [[1946 U.S. Open (golf)|1946 U.S. Open]] in June, Hogan had a short-range putt on the final green to enter a playoff, but missed it and finished in tied-fourth. He rebounded with a win at the [[Inverness Invitational Four-Ball]] the next week.<ref name=sampson100>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 100</ref>

Ahead of the [[1946 PGA Championship]] at [[Portland Golf Club]] in August, defending champion [[Byron Nelson]] announced that he planned to retire from full-time professional golf.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 101</ref> Hogan and Nelson were seeded on opposite sides of the draw, so a showdown in the final between the two was possible, but Nelson was eliminated by [[Porky Oliver]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 102</ref> Hogan dispatched [[Jimmy Demaret]], 10 and 9, to reach the final, where he then defeated Oliver, 6 and 4, to win his first major championship. Aged 34, the victory came 17 years after Hogan had turned professional. In total, Hogan played 32 tournaments in 1946. He made the cut in all 32 events and recorded 27 top-10 finishes, including 13 wins. He claimed the title as money list leader for the fourth time in his career, with over $42,000 ({{Inflation|US|42000|1946|fmt=eq}}) in earnings.<ref name="sampson100" /> As Nelson had retired and [[Sam Snead]] won only once between December 1946 and March 1949, Hogan established himself as the dominant player on tour.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 103</ref>
 
Partially influenced by Nelson's early retirement, Hogan reduced his tournament schedule in 1947 to avoid potential burnout.<ref name="sampson105">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 105</ref> He continued his form from 1946 and won four tournaments at the start of the year. Regarding his success, he proclaimed to a sportswriter: "I've found the secret."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 104</ref> He did not initially reveal the secret, and it became the subject of much speculation. He added three more tournament victories in 1947 after announcing this epiphany.<ref name="sampson105"/> Hogan was chosen as a playing-captain at the [[1947 Ryder Cup]] in November, the first edition of the contest since 1937.<ref>Sampson, Curt.[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 106</ref> The United States trounced Great Britain 11–1.<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 107">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 107</ref> Hogan ended 1947 third in the money list, behind [[Bobby Locke]] and leader [[Jimmy Demaret]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1948 |title=LOCKE SECOND ON LIST; Runner-Up to Demaret in Golf Winnings During 1947 (Published 1948) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/01/06/archives/locke-second-on-list-runnerup-to-demaret-in-golf-winnings-during.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=TIME |date=November 24, 1947 |title=Sport: Good-Time Jimmy |url=https://time.com/archive/6823948/sport-good-time-jimmy/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref>
 
Hogan opened 1948 with a win at the [[Los Angeles Open]] held at [[Riviera Country Club]]. He led wire-to-wire, shooting a record 9-under 275 to win by four strokes ahead of [[Lloyd Mangrum]].<ref name="sampson110">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 110</ref> Hogan added his second major title at the [[1948 PGA Championship]], held at [[Norwood Hills Country Club]] in May. He defeated [[Mike Turnesa]], 7 and 6, in the final. In this era, the PGA Championship was a grueling 216-hole, seven-day format. After his win, Hogan was exhausted and stated he might not play the PGA Championship again.<ref name="sampson110" /> In June, Hogan competed in the [[1948 U.S. Open (golf)|1948 U.S. Open]], which was also held at Riviera Country Club. He opened with a 4-under 67 to take the lead, but was overtaken by [[Sam Snead]] in the second round. Hogan rallied with 68-69 on the 36-hole final day to win his first U.S. Open and third major championship title. His total of 276 shattered the U.S. Open scoring record previously held by [[Ralph Guldahl]]'s 281 in [[1937 U.S. Open (golf)|1937]].<ref name="sampson112">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 112</ref> Hogan's aggregate score of 8-under also set a new U.S. Open record, which stood until [[Tiger Woods]] shot 12-under in [[2000 U.S. Open (golf)|2000]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2020 |title=The 10 wildest stats from Tiger Woods' historic U.S. Open blowout win |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/golf/story/_/id/29322610/the-10-wildest-stats-tiger-woods-historic-us-open-blowout-win |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> With the win, Hogan became the first man to win the PGA Championship and U.S. Open in the same year since [[Gene Sarazen]] in 1922.<ref>Sommers, Robert. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Golf_Anecdotes/iXKgB7SM26sC Golf Anecdotes: From the Links of Scotland to Tiger Woods]. 2004</ref>

Following his victory at the U.S. Open, Hogan won five more consecutive tournaments. He was sponsored by equipment company [[MacGregor Golf]] at the time, and MacGregor awarded him matching prize money for each of his victories, which averaged $2,090 ({{Inflation|US|2090|1948|fmt=eq}}) during this streak.<ref name="sampson112" /> After the final victory of the streak, at the [[Denver Open Invitational]] in August, Hogan signed his scorecard and walked off the course before the trophy presentation. He also refused numerous media requests during this time and the [[Associated Press]] issued a report on the incident, which led to negative coverage of Hogan. Biographer Curt Sampson remarked that "Hogan was extraordinarily driven and had no particular interest in savoring a win in public or in public relations. He was a shy man trying to hide while everyone watched, a sad impossibility."<ref name="sampson114">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 114</ref> Hogan added two more wins before the end of the year. In total, he played 25 events in 1948, finishing in the top-three in 17 of them, including 10 wins. He won the inaugural [[PGA Player of the Year]] award, and topped the tour's money list for the fifth and final time of his career, with over $30,000 ({{Inflation|US|30000|1948|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="sampson114" />

==Life-threatening accident==

In January 1949, Hogan won the [[Bing Crosby Pro-Am]] held at [[Pebble Beach Golf Links]]. He won again the following week at the [[Long Beach Open]], and finished runner-up at the [[Phoenix Open]] at the end of the month. Afterwards, Hogan decided to drive home to Fort Worth in his new [[Cadillac Series 62|Cadillac Sedan]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 115</ref>

On the morning of February 2, Hogan and his wife Valerie were driving along a narrow, two-lane bridge near [[Van Horn, Texas]]. Hogan had slowed down to under {{convert|30|mph|abbr=on}} due to [[fog]] limiting visibility. At 8:30, a [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] Bus 548, whose driver was running late, attempted to overtake a truck by entering the oncoming lane and collided head-on with Hogan's car. The bus weighed approximately {{convert|20000|lbs}} and was traveling at around {{convert|50|mph|abbr=on}}. Moments before the collision, Hogan saw the approaching headlights and let go of the steering wheel to dive in front of Valerie. Hogan would likely have been killed if he had not done so, as the [[steering column]] shot through the car upon collision. The edge of the steering wheel nevertheless fractured Hogan's left collarbone, and it was followed by the Cadillac's engine, which snapped his left ankle and crushed his left leg.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 116</ref> He also suffered a [[fractured pelvis]], fractured rib, damage to his left eye, and injuries to his internal organs due to the force of the impact. Valerie, who had suffered less severe injuries, managed to exit the car and then remove Hogan from the mangled front seat with the help of two people who had stopped to investigate the scene.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 117</ref> The bus had continued onwards until plowing into an embankment several hundred feet past the crash site. None of the passengers in the bus or any other vehicles on the road suffered serious injuries.<ref name="dodson" />
 
A nurse who happened to be on scene recognized that Hogan was descending into [[circulatory shock]] after he was removed from the car. He lost and regained consciousness several times before an ambulance arrived around 90 minutes later from [[El Paso]]. He was transported to [[Hôtel-Dieu Hospital]] in El Paso, where he underwent X-rays before being placed in plaster casts. Valerie was interviewed by reporters who gathered outside the hospital and the detail that Hogan had dove across his wife in an attempt to save her dominated newspapers, with headlines such as "Hogan's Greatest Win - Saving His Gal Val". While in hospital, Hogan received thousands of get-well-soon messages from strangers. Hogan's niece Jackie later recalled that: "Ben really was genuinely startled to discover what he meant to millions of people he'd never met. He simply had no idea how and why they cared about him."<ref name=dodson/> Hogan had previously been regarded as aloof and cold, and the incident caused a sea change in his public image.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 119</ref> Regarding the notion that his reason for diving in front of Valerie was to save her, Hogan later said: "That was a bunch of bullshit. I was trying to get out of the way of the bus."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ben Hogan: Resurrection Days |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/gwar-ben-hogan-merion-0610 |access-date=September 21, 2025 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Broadbent |first=Rick |date=February 24, 2021 |title=Tiger Woods fans may take solace from Ben Hogan's astonishing recovery after a car crash |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/golf/article/tiger-woods-fans-may-take-solace-from-ben-hogans-astonishing-recovery-after-a-car-crash-zf2qhdkhc |access-date=September 21, 2025 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Ben Hogan after car accident 1949.jpg|thumb|Hogan during his 1949 hospital stay]]
Hogan's condition quickly improved from "critical" to "fair" to "good", and he was informed that he would soon be able to leave the hospital. However, on February 18, Hogan reported a sharp pain in his chest and it was determined that [[blood clots]] were traveling from his damaged left leg towards his lungs, creating the threat of a [[pulmonary embolism]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 120</ref> Attempts to thin Hogan's blood proved ineffective so the decision was made to have an emergency operation. [[Alton Ochsner]], regarded as the top vascular surgeon in the country, accepted the request to perform the surgery, but was unable to fly from New Orleans to El Paso due to a rainstorm. U.S. Air Force brigadier general [[David William Hutchison]] agreed to a plea from Hogan's family to send a [[B-29]] to transport Ochsner.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 121</ref> The surgery lasted around two hours and Ochsner successfully ligated Hogan's [[inferior vena cava]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 122</ref> Hogan left the hospital at the start of April and returned home by train to Fort Worth.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 123</ref> During his hospital stay, Hogan was asked by journalist Charles Bartlett if he would return to golf: "I'm going to try. ... You work for perfection all your life, and then something like this happens. My nervous system has been all shot by this, and I don't see how I can readjust it to competitive golf. But you can bet I'll be back there swinging."<ref name="quinn">{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Brendan |date=August 23, 2020 |title=The Comeback, No. 17: Ben Hogan, from a near-fatal crash to 6 more major titles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2004950/2020/08/23/the-comeback-no-17-ben-hogan-from-a-near-fatal-crash-to-6-more-major-titles/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
 
As a result of his broken collarbone, Hogan experienced regular pain in his left shoulder for the remainder of his life. Blood flow to his legs was also permanently restricted, which caused discomfort and pain. His doctors were skeptical that he would ever walk independently again, let alone play golf. They advised that it would take around five months before the swelling in his legs subsided and informed him that his muscles had atrophied. By April 17, Hogan walked a half-block around [[Westover Hills]] with the aid of a cane and assistance from a nurse. After a promising evaluation from Ochsner on April 30, Hogan doubled his recovery efforts. He mailed an entry form for the [[1949 U.S. Open (golf)|1949 U.S. Open]] in June, but was unable to participate. While the U.S. Open was ongoing, the driver of the Greyhound bus which collided with Hogan was on trial for aggravated assault and failure to yield the right-of-way. He was found responsible but received the minimum penalty: a fine and legal costs which totaled only $127 ({{Inflation|US|127|1949|fmt=eq}}). Separately, Hogan reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Greyhound. It was reported that he received $25,000 ({{Inflation|US|25000|1949|fmt=eq}}) a year for life in compensation.<ref name=dodson/><ref name=barrett/> Later in 1949, the driver of the Greyhound bus was involved in another crash, which resulted in two deaths and 34 injuries.<ref name=quinn/>
 
By September 1949, Hogan had recovered enough to travel aboard the [[RMS Queen Elizabeth|RMS ''Queen Elizabeth'']] to England, where he was selected as non-playing captain for the United States at the [[1949 Ryder Cup]] held at [[Ganton Golf Club]]. More than a ceremonial captain, Hogan demanded his players to wake earlier than usual and practice before and after each match. The American team rallied on the final day to win by a score of 7–5.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 132</ref> Upon his return to Fort Worth, Hogan began hitting full shots on the practice range. He experienced significant pain when shifting weight during the swing, but this lessened over time. He played eighteen holes for the first time since the crash on December 10, at [[Colonial Country Club (Fort Worth)|Colonial Country Club]] with the aid of a scooter, which he reluctantly rode on in between shots. Two weeks later, he registered to make his return to the tour and play the [[Los Angeles Open]].<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 133">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 133</ref>

==Return to golf==
===1950: Miracle at Merion===
[[File:Ben Hogan LA Open 1950.jpg|thumb|Hogan at the 1950 Los Angeles Open]]
Hogan played in his first tournament since the car crash in January 1950, at the [[Los Angeles Open]] held at [[Riviera Country Club]].<ref name=sampson134>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 134</ref> He opened with a 73, then followed with three consecutive rounds of 69 to post 4-under 280. [[Sam Snead]] birdied the 17th and 18th holes to match Hogan's score and force a playoff. A member of Riviera recalled that, during the fourth round, Hogan "was telling me his arms felt like wet noodles and he was in some kind of pain on every step."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robledo |first=Fred |date=February 17, 1991 |title=A Will to Win : Forty-One Years Ago, Ben Hogan Returned to L.A. Open After Nearly Being Killed in a Car Crash |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-17-sp-2219-story.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In the playoff, Hogan shot a 5-over 76 and was defeated by Snead, who shot 72.<ref name=sampson134/> Sportswriter [[Grantland Rice]] wrote: "[Hogan's] legs simply were not strong enough to carry his heart any longer."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brady |first=Erik |title=Is Tiger Woods' injury career-ending? It's too soon to know, but Ben Hogan's story is a miracle worth remembering |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2021/02/24/tiger-woods-injury-career-ending-ben-hogans-story-resonates/4575738001/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> Two weeks later, he played in the [[Phoenix Open]], which was ceremonially named the "Ben Hogan Open". He shot 65 in the first round, but faltered with three over-par rounds and finished tied-20th.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 30, 1950 |title=Demaret Triumphs by Stoke on Phoenix Links; CARD OF 269 TAKES OPEN GOLF HONORS Demaret Posts 69, His Fourth Sub-Par Round, as Snead Shoots 66 for 270 Total VINES WINS THIRD PRIZE Finishes With a 72 for 274-- Palmer Shoots 275, Douglas 276--Ben Hogan Trails (Published 1950) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/01/30/archives/demaret-triumphs-by-stoke-on-phoenix-links-card-of-269-takes-open.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Hogan did not play again until the [[1950 Masters Tournament]] in April, where he finished in a tie for fourth.<ref name=quinn/> He recorded his first victory of the season at the [[Greenbrier Pro-Am]] in May, shooting 64-64-65-66 to total 21-under 259 and win by 10 strokes ahead of Snead.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 8, 1950 |title=HERSHEY PRO WINS WITH 21 UNDER PAR; Hogan's 259 Greenbrier Open Card Ties World Mark for Courses Rated at 70 Holds Mark for 72-Par Links Von Nida Shoots a 65 (Published 1950) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/05/08/archives/hershey-pro-wins-with-21-under-par-hogans-259-greenbrier-open-card.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=The Man Who Casts the Longest Shadow |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1965/04/05/the-man-who-casts-the-longest-shadow |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129114448/https://vault.si.com/vault/1965/04/05/the-man-who-casts-the-longest-shadow |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |access-date=August 17, 2025 |work=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Despite his successful return to tournament play, Hogan struggled with near-blindness in his left eye which had been damaged in the crash, a condition which he refused to mention to the press. He also experienced constant pain while on the course.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 138</ref> As a result, Hogan dramatically reduced his tournament schedule. Previously he had averaged around 30 tournaments per year, but now he could only play five or so. To compensate for the lack of tournament play, Hogan underwent pre-round preparations that lasted four hours. In the mornings, he soaked in hot water and [[Epsom salt]]. He followed this by consuming large amounts of aspirin, wrapped his legs in bandages to prevent swelling, had breakfast, then started his lengthy practice routine.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 139</ref>
 
At the [[1950 U.S. Open (golf)|1950 U.S. Open]] held at [[Merion Golf Club]], Hogan opened with a 2-over 72 on Thursday. His legs began to cramp on the back nine on Friday, but he played through severe pain and carded a 69 to trail the lead by two shots heading into the 36-hole final day. As he had a 9:30 tee time the next morning, Hogan woke at 5 a.m. to undergo his pre-round preparations.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 141</ref> In the morning round, he shot a 72 and remained two strokes off the lead, which was held by the 1946 U.S. Open champion [[Lloyd Mangrum]]. In the afternoon round, Hogan's 37 on the front nine was enough claim the lead, as his competitors all struggled. With nine holes remaining, most of the 13,000 spectators on the course were following Hogan.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 143</ref> After climbing the hill to the 12th tee and hitting his drive, Hogan visibly staggered and almost fell. He ultimately made bogey on the hole, and later recalled: "My legs had turned to stone."<ref name=barrett/> Hogan retained a two-shot lead on the 15th hole, but three-putted for bogey. He dropped another shot on the {{convert|230|yard|adj=on}} par-3 17th after finding the greenside bunker, meaning he required a par on the uphill, {{convert|458|yard|adj=on}} par-4 18th hole to force a playoff.<ref name="usga">{{Cite web |title=Looking Back ... 1950 U.S. Open at Merion |url=https://www.usga.org/articles/2013/05/looking-back1950-us-open-at-merion-21474856249.html|publisher=USGA| date=May 27, 2013|first=Michael|last=Trostel}}</ref> After finding the fairway, Hogan still had {{convert|213|yard}} remaining for his approach. He hit a 17-degree 1-iron to {{convert|40|ft}} and two-putted for par to join the playoff alongside Mangrum and [[George Fazio]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 145</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 14, 2013 |title=1-Iron, Made Famous by Hogan, Is Largely Absent (Published 2013) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/sports/golf/1-iron-made-famous-by-hogan-largely-absent-at-us-open.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> [[Hy Peskin]] of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' photographed Hogan playing his 1-iron approach to the green at the 72nd hole. It subsequently became one of the most famed images in golf history.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Politi |first=Steve |date=June 12, 2013 |title=Ben Hogan made U.S. Open history with the 1 iron, but the club has vanished from golf |url=http://www.nj.com/golf/index.ssf/2013/06/ben_hogan_made_us_open_history.html |access-date=October 29, 2015 |newspaper=The Star-Ledger}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2013 |title=Story behind photo of Hogan's 1-iron shot at Merion |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/article-joe-posnanski-story-behind-photo-hogans-1-iron-shot-merion |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:HoganMerion.jpg|thumb|Plaque on the 18th fairway at [[Merion Golf Club]] marking Hogan's 1-iron shot in 1950]]
 
The 18-hole playoff was set for the following day. Hogan returned to the [[Barclay Hotel (Philadelphia)|Barclay Hotel]] in Philadelphia and was rejuvenated by a good night's sleep.<ref name=sampson146/> He fell behind early in the playoff after Mangrum birdied the 2nd hole, but thereafter never trailed.<ref name=sampson146>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 146</ref> Hogan holed a {{convert|50|ft|adj=on}} putt for birdie on the 17th hole to establish a four-shot lead headed to the 18th hole, where he hit a 5-iron into the green and made par to win his second U.S. Open title.<ref name=usga/><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Open: Examining Merion Then And Now |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/us-open-merion-holes-barrett |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}}</ref> Just 16 months after his near-fatal car crash, Hogan had won what was generally considered the most important tournament in the golfing calendar at that time. It was immediately credited as one of the most impressive comeback achievements in sports history.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 147</ref> Hogan's victory at the 1950 U.S. Open subsequently became known as the "miracle at Merion".<ref>https://www.usga.org/articles/2011/03/miracle-at-merion-wins-2010-usga-herbert-warren-wind-book-award-2147496583.html</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Chris |date=June 18, 2015 |title=U.S. Open 2015: Ben Hogan and sport's greatest ever comeback? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/18/golf/golf-ben-hogan-us-open |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

===1951–1952: Continued success, first Masters title===

Hogan made his first start of 1951 at the [[Phoenix Open]] in January. He shot an opening round of 6-under 65 to take the lead, but was forced to withdraw due to [[intestinal influenza]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 26, 1951 |title=Hogan Takes Lead on Superb Putting as Phoenix Open Golf Starts; RATED THE NATION'S NO. 1 BASKETBALL TEAM (Published 1951) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/01/26/archives/hogan-takes-lead-on-superb-putting-as-phoenix-open-golf-starts.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 27, 1951 |title=Herbert's 133 Paces Phoenix Golf As Hogan, Ill, Drops From Open; Mangrum and Little Trail by Two Strokes, With Bulla, Quick at 136--Hershey Pro, First-Round Leader, Has Influenza Harbert Cards a 67 Clark Equals Mark (Published 1951) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/01/27/archives/herberts-133-paces-phoenix-golf-as-hogan-ill-drops-from-open.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Hogan did not return until April, at the [[1951 Masters Tournament]]. After rounds of 70-72-70, Hogan was positioned in third place, one shot off the lead shared by [[Skee Riegel]] and [[Sam Snead]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 150</ref> Hogan went out in 33, and built a two-shot lead after making birdie on the par-5 13th hole. He maintained this advantage headed to the 18th hole, where he holed a {{convert|4|ft|adj=on}} putt for par to shoot a bogey-free 68 and win his first Masters title. He was presented with the [[Augusta National Golf Club#Green jacket|green jacket]] by [[Bobby Jones (golfer)|Bobby Jones]]. When a reporter asked him which tournament he would like to win next, Hogan said: "If I never win another one, I'll be satisfied."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 151</ref>
 
In his title defense at the [[1951 U.S. Open (golf)|1951 U.S. Open]] held at [[Oakland Hills Country Club]], Hogan started with a 6-over 76. Oakland Hills' South Course was a [[Donald Ross (golf course architect)|Donald Ross]] design but had been renovated by [[Robert Trent Jones]] prior to the U.S. Open to tighten the fairways and add more fairway bunkers; the course was subsequently dubbed "the Monster" by the media.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 154</ref> Hogan said after his 76 that it was "the most stupid round of golf I ever played." He followed with a 73 and stood five strokes behind the lead. A third-round 71 on Saturday morning left Hogan in fifth-place at 10-over-par.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 155</ref> In the final round on Saturday afternoon, Hogan decided to attack the course and almost holed multiple approach shots. He finished with a {{convert|15|ft|adj=on}} putt for birdie on the {{convert|459|yard|adj=on}} par-4 18th to shoot 67, the lowest round of the week, and retain his U.S. Open title.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 157</ref> Afterwards, Hogan described it as "the finest round of golf I have ever played" and said "I'm glad I brought this course, this monster, to its knees."<ref>{{Cite news |title=A REAL MONSTER OF A GOLF COURSE |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1961/06/12/a-real-monster-of-a-golf-course |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723032726/https://vault.si.com/vault/1961/06/12/a-real-monster-of-a-golf-course |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=August 6, 2025 |work=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Hogan played in only three tournaments in 1952.<ref name=sampson166>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 166</ref> As the defending champion at the [[1952 Masters Tournament]] in April, he was tied for the lead after 54 holes alongside Snead, but shot a 7-over 79 and finished in tied-7th. As part of the 79, he three-putted on five occasions.<ref name=sampson168/> During that year, Hogan started the tradition of the Masters champions' dinner, after suggesting the idea to Bobby Jones and [[Clifford Roberts]]. He recalled: "They thought it would be a great idea, especially since I was the defending champion and would pick up the check."<ref name=sampson168>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 168</ref> He won the [[Colonial National Invitation]] in May,<ref name=sampson166/> and held the 36-hole lead at the [[1952 U.S. Open (golf)|1952 U.S. Open]] in June, but shot 74-74 over the final two rounds to finish in third place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2019 |title=Connecticut |url=https://victory.usopen.com/content/usga/home-page/celebrating-125-years-of-golf-in-america/connecticut.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=USGA |language=en-US}}</ref>

===1953: Winning the Triple Crown===
On the eve of the [[1953 Masters Tournament]] in April, 40-year-old Hogan stated to a reporter: "I'm in grand shape. I practiced every day of the winter."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 169</ref> He opened with a 2-under 70 in the first round, and followed with a 69 to take a one-shot lead at 5-under.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 170</ref> Hogan extended his lead to four strokes thanks to a third-round 66, which also set the 54-hole scoring record at the tournament at 11-under 205. He closed out the tournament with a 69 on Sunday to claim the second Masters title of his career. His total of 14-under 274 broke the previous tournament record by five strokes. Hogan said afterwards: "That's as good as I can play."<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 172">Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 172</ref> President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] flew to Augusta and two days later played the course together with Hogan, [[Byron Nelson]], and [[Clifford Roberts]]. Eisenhower joked that: "Ben Hogan made fun of your course, didn't he, Cliff?"<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 173</ref>
 
In May, Hogan competed in the Pan American Open, for which he received an appearance fee of $5,000 ({{Inflation|US|5000|1953|fmt=eq}}). He won the tournament by three strokes.<ref name=usga53/><ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 174</ref> Later that month, Hogan won the [[Colonial National Invitation]] for the fourth time in his career. He shot a final-round 67 to win by five strokes. Sportswriters quipped that the tournament should be renamed the "Colonial National Second Place Invitation" due to the difficulty other players had in defeating Hogan at the event.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. pp. 176–77</ref> 
 
Although he had won three of the previous five U.S. Opens, Hogan had to participate in 36-hole qualifying for the [[1953 U.S. Open (golf)|1953 U.S. Open]] held at [[Oakmont Country Club]] in June due to the [[USGA]]'s rules at the time. Biographer Curt Sampson stated that making Hogan play a qualifier for the U.S. Open was "like running a credit check on [[John D. Rockefeller]], an insult and a waste of time."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 179</ref> After qualifying, Hogan shot a bogey-free 67 to take the first-round lead.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 180</ref> He retained his lead following rounds of 72-73, but his long-time rival [[Sam Snead]] had closed within one stroke.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 183</ref> In the final round, Hogan drove the green on the {{convert|292|yard|adj=on}} par-4 17th hole to set up a birdie, then hit a 5-iron approach close to the pin on the 18th and rolled in the birdie putt to shoot 71. Hogan's total of 5-under 283 was six strokes clear of the runner-up Snead.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 184</ref> With the victory, Hogan joined [[Willie Anderson (golfer)|Willie Anderson]] and [[Bobby Jones (golfer)|Bobby Jones]] as the only men to have won four U.S. Opens. [[Jack Nicklaus]] equaled this mark in [[1980 U.S. Open (golf)|1980]].<ref name="usga53">{{Cite web |title=Looking Back: Hogan's 'Triple Crown' Season of 1953 |url=https://www.usopen.com/2025/articles/looking-back--hogan-s--triple-crown--season-of-1953.html}}</ref>

Towards the end of June, Hogan traveled across the Atlantic to compete in the [[1953 Open Championship]], held at [[Carnoustie Golf Links]] in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 23, 1953 |title=BEN HOGAN LEAVES FOR BRITISH OPEN; U. S. Champion Will Make First Try for Title July 6-10 on Links at Carnoustie (Published 1953) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/06/23/archives/ben-hogan-leaves-for-british-open-u-s-champion-will-make-first-try.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> He arrived two weeks early in Scotland to practice on [[Links (golf)|links]] courses and familiarize himself with the British-sized golf ball, which had a {{convert|1.62|in|abbr=on}} diameter compared to the American {{convert|1.68|in|abbr=on}} ball.<ref name=sampson187/> He practiced at [[Panmure Golf Club]], which afforded him more privacy than Carnoustie.<ref name=gruver>Gruver, Ed. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Wee_Ice_Mon_Cometh/spkjEQAAQBAJ The Wee Ice Mon Cometh]. 2024.</ref> In this era, the Open offered a prize pool that was a fraction of the American major championships. When asked why he chose to compete in the Open, Hogan said fellow major champions such as [[Tommy Armour]] and [[Walter Hagen]] had urged him to play.<ref name=sampson187>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 187</ref> The [[1953 PGA Championship]] was scheduled in the same week as the 1953 Open Championship, meaning it was impossible to compete in both.<ref name=usga53/>
 
Hogan initially was not fond of Carnoustie. He stated: "These greens are awful. It's like putting on glue. I've got a lawnmower back in Texas. I'll send it over to you." The Open Championship rules at the time also meant that Hogan had to participate in qualifying on July 6–7 despite his status as the reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion.<ref name=gruver/> He stated afterwards: "I kept asking myself, 'What am I doing over here?'" He felt pressure to perform and believed if he did not win, "people over there would have thought, 'Well, American players aren't so good as they're supposed to be, especially under British conditions'."<ref>Wind, Herbert Warren. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Complete_Golfer/UcmHYcxEM-0C The Complete Golfer]. 1991. p. 227</ref> Hogan made it through qualifying and shot a 1-over 73 in the first round. He struggled on the greens on the opening day and the struggles continued in the second round, but he shot 71 thanks to quality ballstriking and moved within two strokes of the lead.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 191</ref> Hogan developed a flu prior to the 36-hole final day; he had a temperature of {{convert|103|F|C}}, but received a shot of [[penicillin]] and continued to play. He shot 70 in the third round to tie for the lead alongside [[Roberto De Vicenzo]].<ref name=sampson192>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 192</ref>

[[File:Ben Hogan 1953.jpg|thumb|Hogan holding the [[Claret Jug]] in 1953]]
In the final round at Carnoustie, Hogan chipped in from {{convert|40|ft}} for birdie on the 5th hole, then made another birdie at the par-5 6th.<ref name=sampson193>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 193</ref> Hogan was notified he had a two-stroke lead while on the 15th hole, and after hitting his approach to {{convert|12|ft}} on the {{convert|235|yard|adj=on}} par-3 16th, he told reporter John Derr: "This tournament's over. You can go in now and set up for the broadcast."<ref name=sampson193/> Hogan finished with a birdie on the 18th hole to shoot a course-record 68 and claim the [[Claret Jug]], totaling 6-under 282 to win by four strokes over [[Antonio Cerdá]], [[Dai Rees]], [[Frank Stranahan]], and [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]].<ref name=sampson194>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 194</ref> This made him the second golfer after [[Gene Sarazen]] to complete the modern [[Grand Slam (golf)|career grand slam]], and the first to win the [[Triple Crown (golf)|Triple Crown]]. As well as the "Triple Crown", the press dubbed it the "Hogan Slam" and compared it to [[Bobby Jones (golfer)|Bobby Jones]]'s 1930 season.<ref name=usga53/><ref name=augusta>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2013 |title=Ben Hogan's Triple Crown |url=http://www.augusta.com/masters/story/history/year-failures-led-ben-hogans-triple-crown-1953 |access-date=April 27, 2015 |work=The Augusta Chronicle |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150428020829/http://www.augusta.com/masters/story/history/year-failures-led-ben-hogans-triple-crown-1953 |archive-date=April 28, 2015 }}</ref> For this win, Hogan received £500 ({{Inflation|UK|500|1953|fmt=eq}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonk |first=Thomas |date=July 15, 1999 |title=THE ONE AND ONLY |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-15-sp-56359-story.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

When asked afterwards if he would return to the Open Championship, Hogan said: "I don't know when I'll be back. But I'll try to make it next year." He never played again in the Open, and the win at Carnoustie was his ninth and final major championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=My First Open Ben Hogan |url=https://www.theopen.com/latest/2019/05/my-first-open-ben-hogan |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=The Open |language=en}}</ref> Hogan returned to America on July 21, aboard the [[SS United States|SS ''United States'']].<ref name=sampson194/> When he arrived in New York City, he received a [[List of ticker-tape parades in New York City|ticker-tape parade]] down [[Broadway (Manhattan)#Nicknamed sections|Broadway]]. He stated: "Only in America could such a thing as this happen to a little guy like me. Ever since I can remember, new things and better things have been happening to me. I owe it all to the people who have been pulling for me—and to the good Lord."<ref name="whittp">{{Cite news |date=July 22, 1953 |title=150,000 welcome Hogan in ticker-tape parade |page=2B |work=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=United Press |location=Oregon |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hCFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=suIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6983%2C4536275}}</ref><ref name="welcthaw">{{Cite news |last=Grimsley |first=Will |date=July 22, 1953 |title=New York welcome thaws Ben Hogan |page=13 |work=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |location=Spokane, Washington |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZDFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5076%2C7994228}}</ref> Hogan was the first golfer to have been honored in this way since Bobby Jones in 1930.<ref name=augusta/> For his achievements, Hogan was named the 1953 [[AP Athlete of the Year]] and was awarded the [[Hickok Belt]] as the top professional athlete in the United States.<ref>Coverdale, Miles. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_1960s_in_Sports/-YHWDwAAQBAJ The 1960s in Sports: A Decade of Change]. 2020. p. 26</ref>

===1954–1971: Later years===
As the defending champion at the [[1954 Masters Tournament]], Hogan held a three-stroke lead after 54 holes, but shot a 75 in the final round to fall into a tie for the lead with [[Sam Snead]]. In the ensuing 18-hole playoff, Hogan lost with a score of 71 to Snead's 70. This was one of Hogan's many close calls in major championships in his later years. He missed multiple short putts in the final round of the [[1955 Masters Tournament]], where he again finished runner-up, this time to [[Cary Middlecoff]]. With his persistent struggles on the green, he found it difficult to contend over the course of four rounds at Augusta National for the rest of his career.<ref name=sampson212>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 212</ref> Hogan missed the cut for the first time at the [[1957 Masters Tournament]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The unknown story of the putting grip Ben Hogan was too embarrassed to use |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/ben-hogan-lost-putting-grip-split-handed |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=GolfDigest.com |language=en}}</ref> This ended his streak of 14 consecutive top-10 finishes at Augusta National.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Numbers that defined Ben Hogan's greatness - PGA TOUR |url=https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/stats-report/2023/05/22/numbers-that-defined-ben-hogan-s-greatness |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=www.pgatour.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
Despite his putting struggles, Hogan continued to contend in U.S. Opens.<ref name=sampson212/> At the [[1955 U.S. Open (golf)|1955 U.S. Open]], Hogan had the outright lead through three rounds. After two putting for par on the final hole to post 287, he was congratulated by [[Gene Sarazen]], who was commentating the event for [[NBC-TV]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 213</ref> NBC then finished its coverage by declaring Hogan the champion. Meanwhile, [[Jack Fleck]] was still on the course, and birdied his final hole to match Hogan's score of 287 and force a playoff.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 1, 2012 |title=Upsets on, and Ground Rules for, the Links (Published 2012) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/books/review/the-longest-shot-the-upset-and-on-par.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In the playoff, Hogan trailed by one headed to the 18th hole. He hooked his drive left and took multiple strokes to remove the ball from deep rough, which resulted in a double-bogey. Fleck made par to win with 69 to Hogan's 72. Hogan announced afterwards: "I'm through with competitive golf. From now on, I'm a weekend golfer."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 217</ref> He contended again at the [[1956 U.S. Open (golf)|1956 U.S. Open]]. He missed a putt on the 71st hole from approximately {{convert|3|ft}} and ultimately finished one stroke behind the winning mark of 282.<ref>{{Cite news |title=THE CHASE OF THE DOC AT OAK HILL |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1956/06/25/the-chase-of-the-doc-at-oak-hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428151907/https://vault.si.com/vault/1956/06/25/the-chase-of-the-doc-at-oak-hill |archive-date=April 28, 2025 |access-date=August 6, 2025 |work=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref> Hogan competed in the [[1956 Canada Cup]] the following week, where he partnered with Snead to represent the United States. They won by 14 strokes over the South African team of [[Bobby Locke]] and [[Gary Player]]. Hogan also led the individual leaderboard with a score of 7-under 277, five strokes clear of second.<ref>Gregston, Gene. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/s536U9oY8hkC Hogan The Man who Played for Glory]. 1978. p. 164</ref>
 
Hogan won the final professional tournament of his career at the [[Colonial National Invitation]] in May 1959. After missing a {{convert|3|ft|adj=on}} putt to win in regulation, he entered an 18-hole playoff with [[Fred Hawkins (golfer)|Fred Hawkins]]. Regarding the miss, he said: "I was completely confident I could sink that putt. I guess I didn't hit enough club." In windy conditions, Hogan shot 1-under 69 in the playoff to best Hawkins' 73 and claim the fifth victory of his career at Colonial. He stated afterwards: "It's been quite a dry spell. I've had five years of poor putting."<ref name=miller/> The following month, Hogan was in solo-second place after three rounds at the [[1959 U.S. Open (golf)|1959 U.S. Open]] but shot a 76 to finish five strokes behind the winner [[Billy Casper]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1070643/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122132248/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1070643/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 22, 2010|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=The man with the devastating putter|last=Wind|first=Herbert Warren|date=June 22, 1959}}</ref>
 
After three rounds at the [[1960 Masters Tournament]], Hogan was one stroke behind the lead held by [[Arnold Palmer]], but carded a final-round 76 to finish seven behind Palmer. Two months later, Hogan was in contention at the [[1960 U.S. Open (golf)|1960 U.S. Open]]. After opening with a 4-over 75, Hogan rebounded with a 67. Paired with 20-year-old [[Jack Nicklaus]] in the third round, Hogan shot a 69, as did Nicklaus.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 220</ref> In the final round, Hogan was tied for the lead on the par-5 17th and had around {{convert|50|yard}} for his approach.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 221</ref> He went directly at the pin for his third shot, but hit it too short and his ball found the stream guarding the green. Hogan was able to play his fourth shot onto the green, but missed the par putt and dropped out of the lead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCabe |first=Jim |title=Three eras intersected at 'wildest Open ever' |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2010/06/14/three-eras-intersected-wildest-open-ever/76718069007/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Golfweek |language=en-US}}</ref> In an attempt to reclaim the lost stroke, Hogan hit an aggressive drive on the long, par-4 18th hole, but hooked it into the water and made a 7.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1978/06/19/theres-never-been-an-open-like-it-the-past-future-and-present-came-together-on-one-incredible-day-at-cherry-hills-in-1960-as-palmer-caught-hogan-and-nicklaus|title=THERE'S NEVER BEEN AN OPEN LIKE IT|accessdate=September 18, 2025}}</ref> With his bogey, triple-bogey finish, he fell into a tie for ninth, four strokes behind the champion Palmer.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 223</ref> In 1983, Hogan commented on his approach to the 17th green: "I find myself waking up at night thinking of that shot. ... That was 23 years ago and there isn't a month that goes by that that doesn't cut my guts out."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Sean |title=Ben Hogan's legacy lives on at Colonial Country Club - PGA TOUR |url=https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/long-form/2018/05/22/ben-hogan-legacy-colonial-country-club |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=www.pgatour.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
At the [[1967 Masters Tournament]], 54-year-old Hogan opened with 74-73 to make the cut but was seven strokes adrift of the lead. On Saturday, he shot the low round of the tournament with a 6-under 66, including a 30 on the back nine, to move within two of the lead.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 229</ref> He faltered with a final-round 77 and finished tied-10th. He limped badly during the tournament and it proved to be Hogan's final appearance at the Masters, although he did not announce it beforehand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fifty years ago Ben Hogan made his Masters' farewell in a very Hogan-esque way |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/fifty-years-ago-ben-hogan-made-his-masters-farewell-in-a-very-hogan-esque-way |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}}</ref> Hogan detested being seen as a ceremonial golfer and after 1967 did not attend the Masters champions' dinner.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 237</ref>

In 1971, Hogan entered the [[Houston Champions International]] held at [[Champions Golf Club]]. He played at the request of his friends [[Jack Burke Jr.]] and [[Jimmy Demaret]], who had founded the Champions Golf Club. In the opening round, Hogan hit his approach into a creek left of the green on the par-3 4th hole. When he went down to retrieve the ball, he injured his knee which had been damaged in the 1949 car crash. He continued to play through the pain until the 12th hole, at which point he returned to the clubhouse and withdrew from the event. Aged 58, this was Hogan's last professional tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmitt |first=Tim |title=How Champions Golf Club, host of the U.S. Women's Open, ended Ben Hogan's professional career |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2020/12/13/champions-golf-club-ended-ben-hogan-career/76526301007/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Golfweek |language=en-US}}</ref> As he left the course, he told a friend in the gallery: "Don't ever get old."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Why Colonial Country Club is the true 'Hogan's Alley' |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/why-colonial-country-club-is-the-true-hogans-alley |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
[[File:Grover Whalen, Valerie Hogan and Ben Hogan 1953.jpg|thumb|Hogan alongside his wife Valerie and politician [[Grover Whalen]], 1953]]
Hogan met his wife Valerie Fox in [[Sunday school]] in Fort Worth when they were both aged around 12.<ref name="Hogan"/> They married on April 14, 1935, with a handful of friends and family in attendance at the home of Valerie's parents. The wedding was officiated by Albert Venting, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Cleburne.<ref name="google.com"/> The couple never had children.<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 107"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lasting Legacy |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2008/05/26/lasting-legacy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203200603/https://vault.si.com/vault/2008/05/26/lasting-legacy |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |access-date=August 7, 2025 |work=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref> Hogan regularly attended services by Reverend Granville Walker at University Christian Church in Fort Worth. He also attended services at the Catholic church where his niece and her husband were parishioners.<ref name=dodson/>

Outside of golf, Hogan became wealthy through [[oil exploration]]. He was advised by Fort Worth oilman Gary Laughlin.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 167</ref> An oil broker who negotiated with Hogan recalled: "He studied drilling histories and geology reports and had everything down to the smallest detail. You really had to be on your toes with Ben."<ref name=dodson/> Hogan was a political conservative. He said in 1970: "The trouble in this country started when I was young, when the vote was extended to people who had no property."<ref name="seitz" />

Throughout his career, Hogan was considered introverted and shy by the media and his competitors.<ref name=towery/><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 1990 |title=GOLF; Hogan Stays a Presence at 77 (Published 1990) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/20/sports/golf-hogan-stays-a-presence-at-77.html |access-date=August 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> [[Sam Snead]] stated: "About all Ben ever said on a golf course was 'good luck' on the tee and 'you're away'."<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 27, 1997 |title=Ben Hogan's Real Secret: A Mystique (Published 1997) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/27/sports/ben-hogan-s-real-secret-a-mystique.html |access-date=August 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Hogan was compared to [[Greta Garbo]] due to his shunning of publicity.<ref>{{Cite web |title='An American Life': Author aces troubled golf icon Ben Hogan {{!}} The Seattle Times |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20040606/benhogan06/an-american-life-author-aces-troubled-golf-icon-ben-hogan |access-date=August 7, 2025 |website=archive.seattletimes.com}}</ref> In his private life, Hogan was more open and affectionate. He played practical jokes on his friends and used an alterego, "Henny Bogan".<ref name="dodson" /> He also mentored younger golfers who had asked him for help, such as [[Gardner Dickinson]] and [[John Schlee]].<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 107"/> Prior to his golf career, Dickinson had earned a degree in clinical psychology. He administered a [[psychometric]] evaluation of Hogan and said the results showed Hogan had "an IQ of 170 to 172".<ref>Gregston, Gene. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/s536U9oY8hkC Hogan: The Man who Played for Glory]. 1978. p. 62</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Seitz: Hogan's Heroes |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/gw20080912seitz |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}}</ref>

Hogan was close friends with Marvin Leonard, a department store owner whom he had met while caddying at Glen Garden as a child.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 137</ref> Leonard founded [[Colonial Country Club (Fort Worth)|Colonial Country Club]] in 1936. He also built Shady Oaks Country Club in 1958, of which Hogan was a founding member. Leonard loaned Hogan money early in his golf career and later declined Hogan's attempt to pay the money back. Hogan gave a book to Leonard with the inscription: "To Marvin Leonard, the best friend I will ever have. If my father had lived, I would have wanted him to be just like you."<ref name=miller/><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2021 |title=75 Years And Counting: The Charles Schwab Challenge Can Thank Ben Hogan And Marvin Leonard - CBS Texas |url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2021/05/27/75-years-charles-schwab-challenge-ben-hogan-marvin-leonard/ |access-date=August 17, 2025 |website=dfw.cbslocal.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

After retiring from professional golf, Hogan spent much of his time at Shady Oaks, where he continued to practice. In the clubhouse, he generally sat alone at a table overlooking the 9th and 18th greens.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 236</ref> Hogan was fond of animals, particularly dogs, and donated to the [[American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]].<ref>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 155</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/05/27/right-up-his-alley-ben-hogans-failing-health-cast-a-shadow-over-corey-pavins-conquest-of-colonial|title=RIGHT UP HIS ALLEY BEN HOGAN'S FAILING HEALTH CAST A SHADOW OVER COREY PAVIN'S CONQUEST OF COLONIAL|accessdate=September 18, 2025}}</ref> He and Valerie had a [[poodle]] named Duffer; following its death, Hogan swore not to have another dog as he did not want to experience the pain of grief again.<ref name=dodson/> At Shady Oaks, he befriended two dogs, Buster and Max, which the club had adopted. Members at Shady Oaks recalled that Hogan cried at Buster's grave after the dog died in 1993.<ref>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 156</ref>

===Health issues===
Hogan began smoking cigarettes around the same time he began caddying, and continued the habit into his 80s. He averaged around two packs per day.<ref name=towery/> Hogan appeared in an advertisement for [[Chesterfield (cigarette)|Chesterfield]] in 1953.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. XVIII</ref> After surgery for a ruptured appendix in 1987 led to him developing [[pneumonia]], Hogan's doctors strongly advised him to stop smoking, but he continued to do so.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 240–41</ref> 
 
In his final years, Hogan suffered from blindness and [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=RIGHT UP HIS ALLEY BEN HOGAN'S FAILING HEALTH CAST A SHADOW OVER COREY PAVIN'S CONQUEST OF COLONIAL |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/05/27/right-up-his-alley-ben-hogans-failing-health-cast-a-shadow-over-corey-pavins-conquest-of-colonial |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016180115/https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/05/27/right-up-his-alley-ben-hogans-failing-health-cast-a-shadow-over-corey-pavins-conquest-of-colonial |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |access-date=August 7, 2025 |work=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com - CLASSIC - SportsCentury biography of Ben Hogan |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/000719benhogan.html |access-date=August 7, 2025 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref> During an event at Colonial Country Club in 1992 with [[Ben Crenshaw]], Hogan toured the Hogan Room where his trophies and medals were displayed. He did not recognize them and asked Crenshaw: "Are all of these mine?" When Crenshaw confirmed they were, Hogan said: "I really must have been something."<ref name=towery/> As Hogan's mental condition worsened, Valerie forbade visitors from seeing him.<ref name=dodson/> In 1995, Hogan had surgery due to [[colon cancer]]. He developed [[bronchitis]] after the surgery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golf loses a legend as Hogan dies at 84 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/07/26/golf-loses-a-legend-as-hogan-dies-at-84/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>

Hogan died on July 25, 1997,<ref name="lolink">{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1997 |title=Legend of the links |page=27 |work=Toledo Blade |agency=''New York Times'' News Service |location=Ohio |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2pQxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ewMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5984%2C8225997}}</ref><ref name="gihdit">{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1997 |title=Golfing icon Hogan dies in Texas |page=1C |work=Wilmington Morning Star |agency=Associated Press |location=North Carolina |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L7xOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=axUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6195%2C3853806}}</ref><ref name="nlyprf">{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1997 |title=Nearly perfect |page=D1 |work=Reading Eagle |agency=news services |location=Pennsylvania |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gC4iAAAAIBAJ&sjid=86YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3418%2C5125815}}</ref> after suffering a [[stroke]] at his home in Fort Worth. He was 84.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=July 30, 1997 |title=Hogan Remembered as a Man Who Overcame All Hardships (Published 1997) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/30/sports/hogan-remembered-as-a-man-who-overcame-all-hardships.html |access-date=August 20, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Pallbearers at the funeral included golfers [[Tommy Bolt]], [[Sam Snead]], and [[Ken Venturi]], as well as sportswriters [[Dan Jenkins]] and [[Jim Murray (sportswriter)|Jim Murray]].<ref name=":3" /> Hogan's wife Valerie died two years later on June 30, 1999;<ref name="erghwd">{{Cite news |date=July 2, 1999 |title=Hogan's wife dead at age 87 |page=4C |work=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |location=Oregon |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TFNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vesDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6220%2C358173}}</ref> they were interred at [[Greenwood Memorial Park (Fort Worth)|Greenwood Memorial Park]] in Fort Worth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Productions |first=FWTXmag |date=September 27, 2018 |title=A Bird's-Eye View of Fort Worth |url=https://fwtx.com/api/content/c6cb6af9-0be0-55fa-8e63-bc63a6ab588c/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=Fort Worth Magazine |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Technique and playing style==
===Practice===
Hogan was known to practice more than any of his contemporary golfers and is credited as having "invented practice".<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. XX</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/84125-was-ben-hogan-a-better-golfer-than-tiger-woods | title=Was Ben Hogan a Better Golfer than Tiger Woods? |website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> Around the time Hogan began his career, players generally did not have structured practice sessions. Biographer Curt Sampson stated: "The old-timers in golf rarely practiced. They'd take a few swings and then go out and play in a tournament."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 46</ref> Hogan believed that there is "not enough daylight in a day to practice all the shots you ought to be practicing."<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1998 |title=The Lives They Lived: Ben Hogan; The Pain In Perfection (Published 1998) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/04/magazine/the-lives-they-lived-ben-hogan-the-pain-in-perfection.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In an interview following his win at the 1953 Masters, Hogan said: "Practice means as much as playing itself. A tournament is an anticlimax to preparation, the way I see it."<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 172"/>
 
When asked in 1983 why he practiced more than his contemporaries, Hogan recalled: "My swing wasn't the best in the world, and I knew it wasn't. And I thought, 'Well, the only way I can win is just to outwork these fellas'."<ref name="diaz">{{Cite web |title=Ben Hogan: What Could Have Been |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/usopen_benhogan_diaz |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}}</ref> He added: "You hear stories about me beating my brains out practicing, but... I was enjoying myself. I couldn't wait to get up in the morning, so I could hit balls. When I'm hitting the ball where I want, hard and crisply, it's a joy that very few people experience."<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-60239-014-0 |editor-last=Apfelbaum |editor-first=Jim}}</ref> Hogan often stated that the secret to improving at golf was "in the dirt", meaning the dirt of the practice range.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports of The Times: In the End, Tiger Won the Hogan Way |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/golf/082100glf-anderson-column.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=archive.nytimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2013 |title=Wojciechowski: Hogan and Woods |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/usopen13/story/_/id/9360207/tiger-woods-ben-hogan-lot-common-golf |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Ballstriking===
At {{convert|5|ft|8.5|in|2|abbr=on}} and {{convert|145|lbs}}, Hogan was slight of build.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Elliott |first1=Len |url=https://archive.org/details/whoswhoingolf00elli/page/93 |title=Who's Who in Golf |last2=Kelly |first2=Barbara |publisher=Arlington House |year=1976 |isbn=0-87000-225-2 |location=New Rochelle, New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/whoswhoingolf00elli/page/93 93–4]}}</ref> This earned him the nickname "[[Bantamweight|Bantam]] Ben", which he disliked.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN Classic - Ben Hogan was Texas tough |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Hogan_Ben.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref> In his autobiography, [[Byron Nelson]] wrote of Hogan: "Though he was short, he had big hands and arms for his size."<ref>Mackintosh, David. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Golf_s_Greatest_Eighteen/EAS9DJcWRbsC Golf's Greatest Eighteen]. 2004. p. 153</ref><ref>Nelson, Byron. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/How_I_Played_the_Game/CqpIMbyVkLIC How I Played the Game: An Autobiography]. 2006. p.21</ref> Hogan never wore gloves;<ref>{{Cite web |title=In Good Hands: Golf's greatest players and the art of the perfect grip |url=https://golf.com/news/in-good-hands-golfs-greatest-players-and-the-art-of-the-perfect-grip/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> fellow Masters champion [[Jimmy Demaret]] said shaking hands with Hogan felt like "putting your hand in a meat grinder" due to his extensive [[callus]]es.<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 133"/> After meeting Hogan for the first time in 1951, baseball player [[Ted Williams]] stated: "I just shook a hand that felt like five bands of steel."<ref>Gregston, Gene. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/s536U9oY8hkC Hogan: The Man who Played for Glory]. 1979. p. 115</ref>
 
Despite his modest stature, Hogan was among the longer hitters on tour in his era. Hogan had exceptional athleticism and a fast swing, which enabled him to keep pace with his physically larger rivals such as Nelson and [[Sam Snead]].<ref name=diaz/> Hogan believed that driving was the most important part of the golf game.<ref name="seitz"/> Golf instructor [[Jim McLean (golfer)|Jim McLean]] stated that, during a visit to the equipment company [[Spalding (company)|Spalding]], Hogan had recorded the fastest clubhead speed among all professionals at that time.<ref name="yocom">{{Cite web |title=If Ben Hogan met TrackMan ... |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/if-ben-hogan-met-trackman |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}}</ref> Hogan had a significant lateral slide of his hips at the start of his downswing, which allowed him to create a lot of [[Glossary of golf#Lag|lag]]. Professional golfer [[Bob Toski]] said Hogan had the "fastest and most complete clearance of his hips toward the target, and he kept right-arm extension past impact longer than anyone."<ref name=diaz/> Hogan was [[double-jointed]], which helped him to execute his swing. [[Gary Player]] said: "I tried to copy Hogan for a long time, but I finally had to give up. It was wrecking my game. The man was a gymnast."<ref name=diaz/>
 
Early in his career, Hogan primarily used a right-to-left ball flight. This at times manifested as a snap hook, particularly under pressure.<ref name=gruver/><ref name="lkd">{{Cite web |title=The secrets to Ben Hogan's legendary golf swing, according to Artificial Intelligence |url=https://golf.com/instruction/secrets-to-ben-hogans-legendary-golf-swing/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jacobs |first=John |title=Fifty Greatest Golf Lessons of the Century |publisher=William Morrow |year=2000 |isbn=978-0062716149 |author-link=John Jacobs (English golfer)}}</ref>  Demaret said Hogan's change in 1942 from a slight hook to a soft fade led him to becoming a great golfer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 9, 1954 |title=Slight Hook to Soft Fade; MY PARTNER, BEN HOGAN. By Jimmy Demaret. Illustrated. 214 pp. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company. $2.95. (Published 1954) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/05/09/archives/slight-hook-to-soft-fade-my-partner-ben-hogan-by-jimmy-demaret.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Hogan's efforts to fix the hook were perfected in 1946 and he stated he had discovered the "secret" that year.<ref name=diaz/> The result was the "Hogan fade", a relatively low-trajectory shot which curved only a few yards left-to-right.<ref name=yocom/> The shot involved a weakening of his left-hand grip and rotating the clubface open on the backswing, thus creating a cupped wrist. These measures allowed him to release the club as hard as he wanted without fear of the clubface shutting and producing a hook. [[Gardner Dickinson]] said of Hogan's changes: "In this final, brilliant product, Hogan had taken his biggest enemy, the huge forward slide, and turned it into his biggest asset."<ref name=diaz/> [[Butch Harmon]] said in 2009: "Until [[Tiger Woods|Tiger]] came along, I'd never seen a good player with body speed as fast as Mr. Hogan's. That's why he ruined so many emulators. As open as he got the club on the downswing, he needed tremendous speed to get it back to square."<ref name=diaz/> 
 
Hogan had a negative [[angle of attack]], meaning he hit down on the ball slightly with the driver. To prevent the [[Manilkara bidentata|balata]] balls used at the time ballooning up as a result of the negative attack angle, Hogan covered the ball through impact. His ability to compress the ball meant he was one of the few players of his era who did not lose distance by hitting a fade. According to instructors polled by ''[[Golf Digest]]'', Hogan created his fade through his club path, which was left of the target. He combined this with a square club face at impact, as a leftward path and an open face would have caused a slice rather than a tight fade. [[Sean Foley (golf instructor)|Sean Foley]], formerly a coach of Tiger Woods, dissented to this opinion and stated that Hogan had a neutral path and clubface. Foley believed instead that Hogan intentionally hit towards the heel of the club, thus utilizing the [[gear]] effect to produce a fade. As radar monitors such as [[TrackMan]] did not exist during Hogan's time, the specifics of how he created his power fade are unknown in quantifiable terms and can only be surmised.<ref name=yocom/> Alongside the fade, Hogan continued to hit draws if required by the pin location.<ref name=gruver/>
 
Due to the injuries he suffered in the 1949 accident, Hogan was forced to change his swing. The damage to his knees and pelvis caused him to reduce his hip turn through the ball, which lowered his driving distance by around 12 yards. He compensated for this by narrowing his stance, thus attaining more control and repeatability.<ref name=diaz/> Mike Bell, a member of the Ben Hogan Foundation, said: "When you look at photographs of Hogan's golf swing in '46, '47 and '48, he'd clearly figured it out. The golf swing after the wreck is different. It was much more compact, much shorter. Still extremely precise. It was like he reinvented his golf swing to fit what his body could do." Brendan Quinn of ''[[The Athletic]]'' remarked in 2020 that "you could make the case that Ben Hogan built the greatest golf swing the game has ever seen. Twice."<ref name=quinn/>

===Course management===
Hogan stressed the importance of course management. At the 1938 [[St. Petersburg Open Invitational|St. Petersburg Open]], Hogan hit two flagsticks in the same round, causing his ball to ricochet far away from the hole. He realized that aiming directly at the pin was hurting his game and decided afterwards to aim for flat portions of the green near the hole, preferably leaving himself uphill putts for birdie.<ref name=dodson/> In preparation for tournaments, Hogan walked the course backwards (from green to fairway, from fairway to tee) in order to determine the optimal way to play the course.<ref>Albert, Jim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Handbook_of_Statistical_Methods_and_Anal/_mYIEQAAQBAJ Handbook of Statistical Methods and Analyses in Sports]. 2017. p. 430</ref><ref>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 76</ref> Hogan removed his 7-iron from the bag in favor of a 1-iron at the 1950 U.S. Open at [[Merion Golf Club]], proclaiming: "There are no seven-iron shots at Merion."<ref name=barrett/>
 
After winning the 1953 Masters, Hogan said: "You can hit your shots great and still shoot 80 every day because of poor management. The shots are 30 percent of the game. Judgment is 70 percent."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 200</ref> Sportswriter [[Arthur Daley (sportswriter)|Arthur Daley]] stated that during practice rounds at the 1953 U.S. Open, Hogan hit three balls on each tee then played in from there to assess the hole from different angles.<ref name=usga53/> Hogan remarked that "the most important shot in golf is the next one."<ref>Barker, Jamie. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Psychology_of_Golf_Performance_under The Psychology of Golf Performance Under Pressure]. 2023. p.</ref> During the 1953 Open Championship, he was dubbed the "Wee Ice Mon" (or "Wee Iceman") by the Scottish fans in reference to his emotionless demeanor on the course, as though he had ice in his veins.<ref>Demaret, Jimmy. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/My_Partner_Ben_Hogan/Qw_fbmZUElYC My Partner, Ben Hogan]. 1954. p. 155</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1997 |title=Ben Hogan, Golf's Iron-Willed Legend, Dies at 84 (Published 1997) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/26/sports/ben-hogan-golf-s-iron-willed-legend-dies-at-84.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
 
Hogan was nicknamed the "Hawk" due to how he analyzed his opponents,<ref name=towery/> and because of the way he studied courses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glick |first=Shav |date=July 26, 1997 |title=1912-1997 HOGAN |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-jul-26-sp-16384-story.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> He stated in 1975 that the "greatest thing in golf is to be able to save shots". He said the key to accomplishing this was distance control, adding: "It's just as bad to hit a ball too far or too short as it is to hook or slice."<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2021 |title=This is the 'greatest thing you can do in golf,' according to Ben Hogan |url=https://golf.com/instruction/greatest-thing-do-golf-according-ben-hogan/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> Hogan's former caddie Chuck Pollock recalled in 1991 that Hogan rarely talked to him on the course: "He was very prepared and didn't need much from me except to check for pin placements. ... He was like a computer out there. Every shot had been planned before the round, and he knew exactly when to go after birdies."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robledo |first=Fred |date=February 17, 1991 |title=For the Record, Sam Snead Had No Fear of Hogan : Golf: He says he was misquoted about his three fears and claims to have been the best in his prime. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-17-sp-2229-story.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Putting===
[[File:Ben Hogan putting 1950.jpg|thumb|Hogan holding a putter in 1950]]
Hogan struggled with putting for much of his career.<ref name="Sampson, Curt 2001. p. 71"/> After complaining to his wife in 1937 about not making enough putts, she  suggested: "Just hit the ball a little closer to the hole."<ref>Slovick, Lyle. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Trials_and_Triumphs_of_Golf_s_Greatest_C/hPMMDAAAQBAJ Trials and Triumphs of Golf's Greatest Champions]. 2016. p. 73</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 28, 1997 |title=He Was a '10' at the Movies as Well as on the Field |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-jul-28-sp-17106-story.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the accident in 1949, Hogan asked [[Jack Burke Jr.]], who was considered among the top putters on tour, for help with his putting. Burke recalled in 2009: "I think he knew he wasn't going to be as good tee to green, not as long and not as good with the irons. Before that, Hogan didn't really know a lot about putting, never was really serious about it. But we worked on it, mainly got his left hand under the shaft, which helps close the toe on the forward stroke, and he got better. He putted pretty well for three years."<ref name=diaz/> As his putting struggles worsened, Hogan tested various types of putters and putting grips.<ref name=scott242>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 242</ref> In preparation for the [[1957 Masters Tournament]], Hogan tried a 10-finger, baseball grip while putting. Although his putting improved, he was too embarrassed to use the grip in front of the crowds at Augusta National and reverted to the conventional, reverse-overlap grip which he had used throughout his career. He subsequently missed the cut at the Masters for the first time in his career.<ref name=":0" />
 
Following the 1957 Masters, Hogan proposed eliminating putting from golf: "I've always contended that golf is one game, and putting is another. If I had my way, every golf green would be made into a huge funnel; you hit the funnel, and the ball would roll down a pipe into the hole."<ref name=scott241>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 241</ref> Hogan's contemporary [[Fred Haas]] said Hogan had told him: "I don't want to be remembered as a great putter. I want to be remembered as a great striker of the ball."<ref name=scott242/> In his later career, Hogan was afflicted by the [[yips]]. He stated in 1974: "I got to where I couldn't get the putter back. I could get it through if I could ever get it back, but I couldn't get it back. I would just stand there and shake, and it wouldn't move."<ref>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 240</ref> In response to a question about how he mastered ballstriking but not putting, Hogan said the ball is "subject to too many undulations and grass changes and things like that" while on the ground compared to when it is in air.<ref name=scott241/>

===Hand dominance===
In his 1948 book ''Power Golf'', Hogan wrote: "Many golf fans are surprised to learn that I learned to play golf left-handed when I first took up the game. I changed over when I was a small boy. The only clubs I could get were right-handed. Moreover, most of the fellows I played with then were very convincing in telling me that left-handers never made good golfers. At that age I was gullible enough to believe them and to make the change."<ref name=sampsonxvi>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. XVI</ref> When asked if he was left-handed in a 1987 interview, he said: "No, that's one of those things that's always been written, but it's an absolute myth."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. XVII</ref> Biographer Curt Sampson said Hogan intentionally obfuscated details about himself, and said Hogan's "explanations were often meant to mystify."<ref name=sampsonxvi/>

=="Five Lessons" and golf instruction==
In 1954, Hogan accepted an offer of $10,000 ({{Inflation|US|10000|1954|fmt=eq}}) from ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine to reveal the "secret" to his swing which he stated he had discovered in 1946.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 201</ref> Hogan had previously explained some golf swing theories in his 1948 instructional ''Power Golf''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rare pictures show of Ben Hogan's golf swing shoot at Augusta National Golf Club |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/ben-hogan-power-golf-book-augusta-national-masters |access-date=August 17, 2025 |website=GolfDigest.com |language=en}}</ref> The story in ''Life'', tilted "Ben Hogan Finally Reveals the Mysterious Maneuver That Made Him a Champion", was issued on August 8, 1955. In it, he said the secret had three components: weakening his grip (in other words, moving it to his left), opening the clubface on the backswing, and cupping the left wrist. This method was designed to prevent him from hooking the ball, which made the "secret" ineffectual for most recreational golfers who generally struggled with slices rather than hooks.<ref name=sampson202/> In the ''Life'' piece, Hogan stated: "I doubt if it will be worth a doggone to the weekend duffer and it will ruin a bad golfer. With the club so wide open at the top of the backswing, anybody who fails to close it properly on the way down will push the ball off to the right—or worse yet, shank it off to the right at a horrible right angle. But it will be a blessing to the good golfer."<ref>''Life''. Vol. 39, No. 6. August 8, 1955. p. 62</ref>
 
Hogan's fellow professionals believed he had not revealed much to ''Life'' and retained the real secret for himself.<ref name=sampson202>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 202</ref> As debate about the secret continued, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' published drawings on the subject, which it took from Hogan's piece in ''Life'' without his permission. After Hogan threatened to sue, ''Life'' and ''Sports Illustrated'' founder [[Henry Luce]] offered him an additional $20,000 ({{Inflation|US|20000|1955|fmt=eq}}) to write a full-length instructional, which Hogan accepted. ''Sports Illustrated'' writer [[Herbert Warren Wind]] and medical illustrator Anthony Ravielli were chosen as co-author and illustrator of the instructional, titled ''Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf''.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 203</ref> 
 
[[File:FofH-HoganGlassPlane.jpg|thumb|Hogan's imagined glass swing plane]]
 
Originally serialized in ''Sports Illustrated'' beginning in March 1957, ''Five Lessons'' was printed in book form later that year and quickly became the best-selling golf instructional in history.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 204</ref> According to John Garrity, a former editor at [[Simon & Schuster]], golf instructionals generally sold around 12,000 copies. He stated: "There's only been a couple exceptions to that." As of 2024, ''Five Lessons'' had been licensed to numerous publishers throughout the years and cumulatively sold over 1 million copies.<ref name=zak>{{Cite magazine |date=November 22, 2024 |title=Golf's best-selling book just got even better. Here's what's inside |url=https://golf.com/lifestyle/golf-best-selling-book-ben-hogan-lessons/ |access-date=July 29, 2025 |magazine=Golf Magazine |first=Sean |last=Zak}}</ref> 
 
''Five Lessons'' was written in an authoritative style and used all capitals at times for emphasis.<ref name=zak/> It opened with a foreword, preface, and an introductory chapter titled "The Fundamentals". Each lesson in the book is a chapter: The Grip; Stance and Posture; The First Part of the Swing; The Second Part of the Swing; Summary and Review.<ref name="klavon">{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2021 |title=Ben Hogan's '5 Lessons' endures time, technology, scrutiny |url=https://www.si.com/golf/travel/feature-2021-05-31-ben-hogans-5-lessons-endures-time-technology-scrutiny |access-date=August 17, 2025 |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref> Sports psychologist Gio Valiante said in 2021: "The tone of the 'Five Lessons' is consistent with [Hogan's] personality. Hogan was an efficient golfer; he had an efficient golf swing, and he was efficient with words."<ref name=klavon/> Hogan's goal for the instructional was to enable bogey golfers to break 80 regularly.<ref name=zak/> He later said the "most important thing in the golf swing" is the sequence of the body's movement, in particular that the lower body should initiate the downswing. He stated: "Most people do it entirely opposite. They rotate their shoulders first instead of their lower body. As a result, they come across and hit the outside of the ball instead of the back of it."<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Ben Hogan explains the 'most important' part of the golf swing |url=https://golf.com/instruction/ben-hogan-swing-golf-club-play-smart/ |access-date=August 17, 2025 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
Hogan's ''Five Lessons'' influenced golfers such as [[Lee Trevino]]<ref name=zak/><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2024 |title=Lee Trevino's golf interest was waning. Then along came Ben Hogan |url=https://golf.com/lifestyle/lee-trevino-ben-hogan-five-fundamentals-shaped/ |access-date=August 17, 2025 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Nick Faldo]].<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 231</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2004 |title=Pilgrimage to the high priest of ball striking |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/pilgrimage-to-the-high-priest-of-ball-striking-gdxxjnl883p |access-date=August 17, 2025 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> Instructor [[Jim Flick]] said in 2001 that much of the modern interpretation of the golf swing derives from the adjustments Hogan made to his own swing and his writings in ''Five Lessons''. Flick stated that swing coaches had elaborated Hogan's instruction into "a mechanical, big-muscle philosophy" which "neglected the soul that was at the heart of Ben Hogan's game," opining that Hogan was not a mechanical player but a "feel player with a brilliant understanding of swing mechanics."<ref>Flick, Jim., Waggoner, Glen. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/On_Golf/893ODDgh-B4C On Golf: Lessons from America's Master Teacher]. 2001. p. 83</ref> Jaime Diaz, a writer who edited an anniversary edition of ''Five Lessons'', stated in 2024: "It's an anti-hook book. I mean, really weak grip and just making sure the club never turns over. It's a Tour player's swing. But even Tour players can't always replicate it."<ref name=zak/>

==Ben Hogan Golf Company==
{{main|Ben Hogan Golf Company}} 
Hogan became affiliated with the equipment company [[MacGregor Golf]] in 1937, after signing a contract worth $250 ({{Inflation|US|250|1937|fmt=eq}}).<ref name=sagebiel>Sagebiel, Neil. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Longest_Shot/9RosBPAU7DwC The Longest Shot: Jack Fleck, Ben Hogan, and Pro Golf's Greatest Upset at the 1955 U.S. Open] 2012.</ref> When asked by MacGregor representative [[Toney Penna]] if he would use the MacGregor Tourney ball in 1953, Hogan said: "Hell no! It's the worst golf ball ever made."<ref name=usga53/> He refused to use the ball during his 1953 season and his relationship with the company dissolved.<ref name=usga53/> Hogan had decided prior to this that he would start his own golf equipment company.<ref name=sagebiel/> In October 1953, he announced the creation of the Ben Hogan Company and sent a letter to club professionals asking them to support his venture.<ref name=nyt2015>{{cite news |last1=Santaniello |first1=Gary |title=Reviving the Hogan Club Line and Returning It to Its Roots |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/sports/golf/hogan-a-revived-club-maker-returns-to-its-roots.html |access-date=July 27, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=January 20, 2015}}</ref>  Hogan's perfectionism towards golf carried over to manufacturing, and in 1954 he scrapped the first batch of clubs that were produced due to them not meeting his standards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Golfweek Staff |title=2003: Hogan strives for golden revival |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2003/11/09/2003-hogan-strives-golden-revival/76798943007/ |access-date=August 17, 2025 |website=Golfweek |language=en-US}}</ref> The batch was worth around $100,000 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|.1|1954|r=1}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}), and Hogan's decision to scrap it led to the exit of an investor.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 206</ref>
 
Marketed as clubs for "the better player", the company utilized Hogan's image strongly in its advertising.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 207</ref> Due to a small budget, Hogan was unable to pay the top players at the time to use his clubs as they already had contracts with established brands such as MacGregor, [[Spalding (company)|Spalding]], and [[Wilson Staff|Wilson]].<ref>Barkow, Al. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Upset/MMxcquEfXsMC The Upset: Jack Fleck's Incredible Victory Over Ben Hogan at the U.S. Open]. 2012. p. 31</ref> Hogan sought to design top-end products and made innovations, such as fitting long irons with stiffer shafts than short irons. This idea was later adopted by other equipment manufacturers.<ref>Barkow, Al. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Upset/MMxcquEfXsMC The Upset: Jack Fleck's Incredible Victory Over Ben Hogan at the U.S. Open]. 2012. p. 192</ref> The company struggled to gain prominence against established rivals in the industry, and Hogan decided to sell the company as raising operating capital became troublesome.<ref name=barkow193>Barkow, Al. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Upset/MMxcquEfXsMC The Upset: Jack Fleck's Incredible Victory Over Ben Hogan at the U.S. Open]. 2012. p. 193</ref> It was acquired by [[American Machine and Foundry]] (AMF) in 1960, at a price of around $3.7 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|3.7|1960|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}). Hogan received cash as well as equity in AMF.<ref name=austry>Austry, Jerome. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Hogan_Edge/q4h0EAAAQBAJ The Hogan Edge]. 2022.</ref> 
 
After the sale to AMF, Hogan was appointed director of the Ben Hogan Golf Company and continued designing and manufacturing clubs.<ref name=barkow193/> He also had input in the company's sales and marketing policies. As the company used his name, Hogan viewed it as a representation of himself.<ref>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 111</ref> Hogan designed the Apex model of irons in 1972. It had a forged-blade style, which he favored over the cavity-back, [[investment-cast]] models that were beginning to gain popularity. Hogan believed such clubs reduced the player's feel and ability to discern if a shot had been struck properly.<ref>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 124</ref> The Apex line was successful, and it became a platform for Hogan's experimentation with weight distribution and sole design ideas. He also designed the Apex shaft, which James Achenbach of ''[[Golfweek]]'' said in 2013 is "sometimes called golf's first lightweight shaft."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Achenbach |first=James |title=Achenbach: The legend of Apex |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2013/10/03/apex-irons-return-callaway-golf-equipment-clubs/76897078007/ |access-date=September 21, 2025 |website=Golfweek |language=en-US}}</ref>

The company had sales of around $4 million in the late 1960s, but flourished in the 1970s and became the highest-selling club manufacturer in golf course shops. By 1980, sales had increased tenfold to over $40 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|40|1980|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 112</ref> In late 1979, AMF appointed a new president, who reduced Hogan's role in the company and removed him from its commercials. The company also shifted focus from selling in shops at golf courses to off-course stores; the strategy was unsuccessful and the business began to struggle financially.<ref>Scott, Tim. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ben_Hogan/cnj7BgAAQBAJ Ben Hogan: The Myths Everyone Knows, the Man No One Knew]. 2015. p. 115</ref> In 1984, AMF sold the Ben Hogan Golf Company to vulture investor [[Irwin L. Jacobs]] for $15 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|15|1984|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name=espn03/> This was part of Jacobs' [[hostile takeover]] of AMF, which was completed in 1985.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Eternal_Summer/GajT_7wLNIQC The Eternal Summer: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Hogan in 1960, Golf's Golden Year]. 2009. p. 227</ref> The company reported losses of $2.5 million in the year following the takeover. A new president was hired, who convinced Hogan that the company should release a line of easy-to-hit, cavity-backed irons for high handicap golfers, similar to ones marketed at the time by [[Ping (golf)|Ping]]. Hogan advertised the new clubs in television commercials and the company returned to profitability.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 238</ref>

In 1988, the company was acquired for $55 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|55|1988|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) by Cosmo World, a group of Japanese investors who later bought [[Pebble Beach Golf Links]].<ref name=espn03/> After the acquisition, Hogan said: "Mr. Isutani, you've bought the family jewels. Don't fuck it up."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 241</ref> The company began primarily focusing on the Japanese market and Hogan's influence on the company decreased.<ref name=espn03/> In 1992, Cosmo World was in financial distress and sold the company to Bill Goodwin,<ref>Slovick, Lyle. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Trials_and_Triumphs_of_Golf_s_Greatest_C/hPMMDAAAQBAJ Trials and Triumphs of Golf's Greatest Champions]. 2016. p. 93</ref> for $61 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|61|1992|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2025 |title=BEN HOGAN CO. MAY BE SUBJECT OF A THREE-WAY BIDDING WAR |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/23/Finance/BEN-HOGAN-CO-MAY-BE-SUBJECT-OF-A-THREE-WAY-BIDDING-WAR/ |access-date=September 21, 2025 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref> Goodwin had no background in golf and moved the manufacturing from its long-term base in Fort Worth to a plant in [[Richmond, Virginia]].<ref name=austry/> Hogan's secretary Sharon Rea recalled: "It very much saddened him when the company moved out of Fort Worth. He didn't have any children and this was his baby."<ref name=espn03>{{Cite news |last=Rovell |first=Darren |date=August 12, 2003 |title=Legendary brand will soon have new owner - again |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/sportsbusiness/s/2003/0812/1594598.html |access-date=May 26, 2010}}</ref>

Revenue declined from over $60 million to around $10 million during Goodwin's ownership.<ref name=austry/><ref name=espn03/> Following Hogan's death in 1997, the manufacturing returned to Fort Worth after the brand was bought by [[Spalding (company)|Spalding]],<ref name=espn03/><ref name=nyt2015/> for $14.6 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|14.6|1997|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name="sbj2002">{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2025 |title=Spalding To Promote New Hogan Brand Ball With $20M Push |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2002/06/26/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Spalding-To-Promote-New-Hogan-Brand-Ball-With-$20M-Push/ |access-date=September 21, 2025 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref> In 2003, Spalding (then renamed [[Top-Flite]]) filed for bankruptcy.<ref name=espn03/> [[Callaway Golf Company|Callaway]] bought the Top-Flite, Strata, and Ben Hogan brands out of bankruptcy for $169 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|169|2003|r=0}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{Cite web |first=James F.|last=Peltz |date=July 1, 2003 |title=Callaway to Buy Rival Golf Firm Top-Flite |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-01-fi-golf1-story.html |access-date=August 17, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-09-05 |title=COMPANY NEWS; CALLAWAY GOLF BEATS OUT ADIDAS TO BUY TOP-FLITE (Published 2003) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/05/business/company-news-callaway-golf-beats-out-adidas-to-buy-top-flite.html |access-date=2025-11-07 |language=en}}</ref> Callaway discontinued the Hogan brand in 2008, and sold the branding rights to [[Perry Ellis International]] in 2012.<ref name=nyt2015/>

==Legacy==
[[File:Ben Hogan Museum.JPG|thumb|The Ben Hogan Museum in his hometown of [[Dublin, Texas]] ]]
Hogan was selected as one of the thirteen inaugural inductees to the [[World Golf Hall of Fame]] in 1974.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 13, 1974 |title=13 Golfers Picked For Hall of Fame (Published 1974) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/13/archives/13-golfers-picked-for-hall-of-fame-golf-results.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> He received the 1976 [[Bob Jones Award]], which is the [[United States Golf Association]]'s highest honor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 17, 1998 |title=USGA Announces Award Winners - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usga-announces-award-winners/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> A room at the [[USGA Museum]] was dedicated to him, named the Ben Hogan Room.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=By |last2=Press |first2=Associated |last3=By |last4=Press |first4=Associated |date=June 2, 2008 |title=USGA Museum Fact Sheet |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/article-associated-press-usga-museum-fact-sheet |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Celebrating 120 Years of the USGA (Part 2): 1925-1955 |url=https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2014/12/celebrating-120-years-of-the-usga-part-2-jones-hogan-become-icons-rules-uniformity-established-21474874033.html}}</ref> In 2012, a standalone Ben Hogan Museum was opened in his hometown [[Dublin, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=CHILTON |first=Dr STUART |title=Dublin's golf legend |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/opinion/2014/12/15/dublin-s-golf-legend/33354900007/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Not in Europe: These Texas cities share some international names |url=https://www.ktsm.com/local/el-paso-news/not-in-europe-these-texas-cities-share-some-international-names/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127195303/https://www.ktsm.com/local/el-paso-news/not-in-europe-these-texas-cities-share-some-international-names/ |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |access-date=August 10, 2025 |work=KTSM 9 News |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> 
 
A biographical film about Hogan, titled ''[[Follow the Sun (film)|Follow the Sun]]'', was released in 1951, in which he was portrayed by [[Glenn Ford]]. It focuses on his early career, his relationship with his wife, the car accident, and his return to golf at the [[Los Angeles Open]]. Hogan served as technical advisor during the production. He insisted to director [[Sidney Lanfield]] that clubs used in the film should be realistic, and often interrupted filming to show Ford how to grip the club and how to address the ball. Hogan biographer [[Curt Sampson]] said: "Ford, an unathletic man whose hobby was gardening, held the club as if it were a trowel and swung it like a rake."<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 127</ref> Hogan's contemporaries [[Byron Nelson]] and [[Sam Snead]] also had negative opinions of the film, but reviews from non-golfers were more favorable.<ref>Sampson, Curt. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hogan/QuVNBAAAQBAJ Hogan]. 2001. p. 149</ref> A documentary on Hogan by golf historian Fred Simmons was released in 1994, titled ''A Hard Case from Texas''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2000 |title=The Atlanta Journal from Atlanta, Georgia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/981452655/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, [[Golf Channel]] produced ''Hogan'', a two-part biopic on Hogan's life and legacy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maglio |first=Tony |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Golf Films' 2019 Slate Includes Tiger Woods Career Retrospective, 2-Night Ben Hogan Doc (Exclusive) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/golf-films-2019-slate-tiger-woods-ben-hogan-biopic-kyle-chandler/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Namesake===
Due to his success at the course, [[Riviera Country Club]] in Los Angeles was nicknamed "Hogan's Alley". In an 18-month stretch, he won three times at Riviera, twice when it hosted the [[Los Angeles Open]] and another when it was the venue for the [[1948 U.S. Open (golf)|1948 U.S. Open]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2025 |title=The Making of Hogan's Alley |url=https://genesisinvitational.com/news/the-making-of-hogans-alley/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=The Genesis Invitational |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=TIME |date=June 21, 1948 |title=Sport: Down Hogan's Alley |url=https://time.com/archive/6601151/sport-down-hogans-alley/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref> [[Jimmy Demaret]], who finished runner-up at the 1948 U.S. Open, said Hogan seemed unbeatable at Riviera.<ref name=sampson112/> Another course that became known as "Hogan's Alley" was [[Colonial Country Club (Fort Worth)|Colonial Country Club]] in Fort Worth. Hogan won five times at the course when it hosted the [[Colonial National Invitation]], including the inaugural edition in 1946. His last victory in a professional tournament came at Colonial in 1959.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> In 1995, a seven-foot bronze statue of Hogan was installed at Colonial Country Club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN Classic - Remarkable Hogan wins '50 U.S. Open |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/addhoganben.html |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref> During the [[1953 Open Championship]] at [[Carnoustie Golf Links]], Hogan played the par-5 6th hole aggressively. Most of the field that year chose to lay up off the tee short of the bunkers on the right half. Hogan noticed he could reach the green in two if he aimed down the left, which brought out of bounds into play. He successfully targeted the left side en route to victory and the hole later became known as "Hogan's Alley".<ref name="sampson192"/> Previously named "Long", the hole was officially renamed Hogan's Alley in 2003.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 2018 |title=The Open 2018: What makes Carnoustie 'Car-nasty'? |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/44777487 |access-date=August 10, 2025 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Hogan's Alley, Carnoustie; chosen by Ewen Murray and Bruce Critchley |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/the-open/news/14862/8653135 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121071427/https://www.skysports.com/golf/the-open/news/14862/8653135 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=August 10, 2025 |work=Sky Sports |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
In recognition of Hogan's win at the [[1953 Masters Tournament]], where he broke the scoring record, [[Augusta National Golf Club]] renamed the bridge which carries players across Rae's Creek to the 12th green as the Hogan Bridge in 1958.<ref>https://www.masters.com/en_US/news/articles/2023-04-09/five_facts_about_amen_corner.html</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2022 |title=The Story Of How The Most Famous Bridge In Golf Got Its Name |url=https://www.golfmonthly.com/tour/us-masters/masters-history-records/hogan-bridge-augusta-national-88622 |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf Monthly |language=en}}</ref> Beginning in 1990, the [[Ben Hogan Award]] has been awarded annually to the top collegiate golfer in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ben Hogan Award |url=https://www.amateurgolf.com/amateur-golf-tournaments/10298/Ben-Hogan-Award |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=www.amateurgolf.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2025 |title=Luke Clanton Wins Ben Hogan Award |url=https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/luke-clanton-wins-ben-hogan-award |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf Monthly |language=en}}</ref> Also in 1990, Hogan gave his name to the [[Ben Hogan Tour]], a development tour which aimed to provide a pathway for players to reach the PGA Tour. When the tour was launched, he advised the players: "Watch out for buses."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/05/07/hogans-golfing-heroes-ben-hogans-company-has-funded-a-tour-for-pros-aiming-at-the-big-time|title=HOGAN'S GOLFING HEROES|accessdate=September 18, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lefty Gets It Right With a stirring win at the Colonial, Phil Mickelson proved he has all the shots |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2000/05/29/lefty-gets-it-right-with-a-stirring-win-at-the-colonial-phil-mickelson-proved-he-has-all-the-shots |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418150230/https://vault.si.com/vault/2000/05/29/lefty-gets-it-right-with-a-stirring-win-at-the-colonial-phil-mickelson-proved-he-has-all-the-shots |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |access-date=August 10, 2025 |work=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref> The tour had multiple name changes through the years; as of 2020, it is called the Korn Ferry Tour for sponsorship reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prise |first=Kevin |title=Korn Ferry Tour turns 30, stays true to origins as PGA TOUR proving ground |url=https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour/article/news/tour-insider/2020/02/02/30th-anniversary-origin-story-deane-beman-ben-hogan-path-to-pga-tour-legacy-how-it-began-started-founded |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=www.pgatour.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Assessment===
Hogan is regarded as one of the greatest golfers in the history of the game. ''[[Golf Digest]]'' stated that, in 1970, Hogan was "unquestionably thought to be the greatest golfer in history."<ref name="seitz">{{Cite web |title=From The Archive: Ben Hogan Today |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/ben-hogan-today |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf Digest |language=en}}</ref> In [[ESPN]]'s ''[[SportsCentury]]'' list of the 50 greatest athletes of the 20th century, Hogan ranked at 38th. In 2000, ''Golf Digest'' ranked Hogan as the second greatest player of all time, behind [[Jack Nicklaus]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yocom |first=Guy |date=July 2000 |title=50 Greatest Golfers of All Time: And What They Taught Us |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HFI/is_7_51/ai_63015233 |access-date=December 5, 2007 |website=[[Golf Digest]]}}</ref> In ''The Golf 100'', a 2025 ranking of the top 100 golfers in history, Nicklaus was first, [[Tiger Woods]] was second, [[Bobby Jones (golfer)|Bobby Jones]] was third, Hogan was fourth, and [[Arnold Palmer]] was fifth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2025 |title=This author ranked the top 100 golfers of all time. Here's who landed on top |url=https://golf.com/news/greatest-golfer-new-ranking-explains-choice/ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
In particular, Hogan is considered among the finest [[Glossary of golf#Ballstriking|ballstrikers]] in history.<ref>Hogan, Sean., Smeltz, Kevin., Richardson, Allen F. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Leadbetter_Golf_Academy_Handbook/6FhjAwAAQBAJ The Leadbetter Golf Academy Handbook]. 2014. p. 136</ref> Golf instructor [[David Leadbetter (golf instructor)|David Leadbetter]] said in 2014 that there is "no higher compliment" than to say that a golfer is "hitting it like Hogan."<ref>Leadbetter, David. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Fundamentals_of_Hogan/ohWOAwAAQBAJ The Fundamentals of Hogan]. 2014.</ref> In 1967, the editor of [[Cary Middlecoff]]'s 1974 book ''The Golf Swing'' watched every shot that 54-year-old Hogan hit at the [[Colonial National Invitational]] in Fort Worth. "Hogan shot 281 for a third-place tie with [[George Archer]]. Of the 281 shots, 141 were taken in reaching the greens. Of the 141, 139 were rated from well-executed to superbly executed. The remaining two were a drive that missed the fairway by some 5 yards and a 5-iron to a par-3 hole that missed the green by about the same distance. It was difficult, if not impossible to conceive of anybody hitting the ball better over a four-day span."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Middlecoff |first=Cary |url=https://archive.org/details/golfswing00midd |title=The Golf Swing |publisher=Prentice-Hall |year=1974 |isbn=9780133600247 |editor-last=Michael |editor-first=Tom |page=[https://archive.org/details/golfswing00midd/page/32 32] |author-link=Cary Middlecoff |url-access=registration}}</ref> When asked in 2004 if Tiger Woods was the best ballstriker he had ever seen, [[Jack Nicklaus]] replied: "No, no - Ben Hogan, easily".<ref>''[[Golf Digest]]'', April 2004</ref> Also in 2004, amidst an attempt to change his swing, Woods said: "Only two players have ever truly owned their swings: [[Moe Norman]] and Ben Hogan. I want to own mine." Woods' coach at the time, [[Hank Haney]], stated the goal was to mould Woods' swing into one more similar to Hogan, Norman, and [[Lee Trevino]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2004 |title=Diaz: The truth about Tiger |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/news/story?id=1946259 |access-date=August 10, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
[[Charles McGrath (critic)|Charles McGrath]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said in 1998 that Hogan, with "his perfectionism and his elegant, un-logoed wardrobe," had done more than anyone else to bring the PGA Tour "from its rowdy, barnstorming days into the modern era of professionalism."<ref name="auto"/> Major champion [[Johnny Miller]] of [[Golf.com]] proclaimed in 2013: "Ben is more respected for the quality of his shots than any golfer ever in history and that includes Woods or Nicklaus—nobody has been copied more than Ben Hogan and his book has been copied more than any book ever."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTd8UAG1cn8 |title=Johnny Miller: Ben Hogan's Real Secret |website=[[YouTube]] |date=March 14, 2013 }}</ref>{{bsn|reason=Citation is a YouTube video|date=November 2025}}

==Professional wins (69)==
===PGA Tour wins (64)===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Legend
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
| Major championships (9)
|- 
| Other PGA Tour (55)
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Date!!Tournament!!Winning score!!Margin of<br />victory!!Runner(s)-up
|-
|align=center|1
|align=right|Sep 4, 1938
|[[Hershey Four-Ball]]<br>(with {{flagicon|USA}} [[Vic Ghezzi]])
|align=center|+17 points
|15 points
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Runyan]] and {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|2
|align=right|Mar 21, 1940
|[[North and South Open]]
|−11 (66-67-74-70=277)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|3
|align=right|Mar 25, 1940
|[[Greater Greensboro Open]]
|−12 (68-69-66-67=270)
|9 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Craig Wood (golfer)|Craig Wood]]
|-
|align=center|4
|align=right|Mar 31, 1940
|Asheville Land of the Sky Open
|−11 (67-68-69-69=273)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ralph Guldahl]]
|-
|align=center|5
|align=right|May 19, 1940
|[[Goodall Round Robin]]
|align=center|+23 points
|4 points
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|6
|align=right|Mar 5, 1941
|[[Miami Biltmore International Four-Ball]]<br>(with {{flagicon|USA}} [[Gene Sarazen]])
|colspan=2 align=center|4 and 3
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ralph Guldahl]] and {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|7
|align=right|Mar 30, 1941
|Asheville Open (2)
|E (67-73-75-69=284)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lawson Little]]
|-
|align=center|8
|align=right|Jun 22, 1941
|[[Inverness Invitational Four-Ball]]<br>(with {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]])
|align=center|+11 points
|3 points
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Byron Nelson]] and {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Jimmy Thomson (golfer)|Jimmy Thomson]]
|-
|align=center|9
|align=right|Jul 20, 1941
|[[Chicago Open]]
|−10 (66-70-69-69=274)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Craig Wood (golfer)|Craig Wood]]
|-
|align=center|10
|align=right|Aug 31, 1941
|[[Hershey Open]]
|−17 (69-67-69-70=275)
|5 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|-
|align=center|11
|align=right|Jan 12, 1942
|[[Los Angeles Open]]
|−2 (70-70-72-70=282)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Jimmy Thomson (golfer)|Jimmy Thomson]]
|-
|align=center|12
|align=right|Jan 25, 1942
|[[San Francisco Open]]
|−9 (65-71-72-71=279)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|13
|align=right|Mar 30, 1942
|[[North and South Open]] (2)
|−17 (67-68-67-69=271)
|5 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|14
|align=right|Apr 5, 1942
|Asheville Land of the Sky Open (3)
|−8 (71-69-68-68=276)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lawson Little]]
|-
|align=center|15
|align=right|Jun 21, 1942
|[[Hale America Open]]
|−17 (72-62-69-68=271)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Turnesa]]
|-
|align=center|16
|align=right|Aug 16, 1942
|[[Rochester Times-Union Open]]
|−2 (64-68-72-74=278)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Craig Wood (golfer)|Craig Wood]]
|-
|align=center|17
|align=right|Sep 3, 1945
|[[Nashville Invitational]]
|−19 (64-67-68-66=265)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Johnny Bulla]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Byron Nelson]]
|-
|align=center|18
|align=right|Sep 30, 1945
|[[Portland Open Invitational]]
|−27 (65-69-63-64=261)
|14 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Byron Nelson]]
|-
|align=center|19
|align=right|Nov 4, 1945
|Richmond Invitational
| +5 (72-70-74-73=289)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dick Metz]]
|-
|align=center|20
|align=right|Nov 25, 1945
|Montgomery Invitational
|−6 (73-69-72-68=282)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jug McSpaden]]
|-
|align=center|21
|align=right|Dec 2, 1945
|[[Orlando Open (golf)|Orlando Open]]
|−14 (69-69-65-67=270)
|6 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jug McSpaden]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Johnny Revolta]]
|-
|align=center|22
|align=right|Jan 27, 1946
|[[Phoenix Open]]
|−11 (66-68-68-71=273)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Herman Keiser]]
|-
|align=center|23
|align=right|Feb 10, 1946
|[[San Antonio Texas Open]]
|−20 (67-65-67-65=264)
|6 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sammy Byrd]]
|-
|align=center|24
|align=right|Mar 3, 1946
|[[St. Petersburg Open Invitational|St. Petersburg Open]]
|−15 (64-67-70-68=269)
|5 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|25
|align=right|Mar 10, 1946
|[[Miami International Four-Ball]] (2)<br>(with {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]])
|colspan=2 align=center|1 up
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sammy Byrd]] and {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|26
|align=right|May 19, 1946
|[[Colonial National Invitation]]
|−1 (73-72-69-65=279)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Harry Todd (golfer)|Harry Todd]]
|-
|align=center|27
|align=right|May 26, 1946
|[[Western Open]]
|−17 (68-66-67-70=271)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|- 
|align=center|28
|align=right|Jun 2, 1946
|[[Goodall Round Robin]] (2)
|align=center|+51 points
|25 points
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|-
|align=center|29
|align=right|Jun 23, 1946
|[[Inverness Invitational Four-Ball]] (2)<br>(with {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]])
|align=center|+20 points
|6 points
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jug McSpaden]] and {{flagicon|USA}} [[Byron Nelson]]
|-
|align=center|30
|align=right|Aug 10, 1946
|Winnipeg Open
|−7 (73-71-69-68=281)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dick Metz]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|31
|align=right|Aug 25, 1946
|'''[[1946 PGA Championship|PGA Championship]]'''
|colspan=2 align=center|6 and 4
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ed Oliver (golfer)|Ed Oliver]]
|-
|align=center|32
|align=right|Sep 2, 1946
|Golden State Open
|−9 (66-69-70-70=275)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chick Harbert]]
|-
|align=center|33
|align=right|Sep 29, 1946
|[[Dallas Invitational]]
| +4 (70-69-72-73=284)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Herman Keiser]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Runyan]]
|-
|align=center|34
|align=right|Nov 7, 1946
|[[North and South Open]] (3)
|−6 (71-71-70-70=282)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Turnesa]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|35
|align=right|Jan 6, 1947
|[[Los Angeles Open]] (2)
|−4 (70-66-72-72=280)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Toney Penna]]
|-
|align=center|36
|align=right|Jan 26, 1947
|[[Phoenix Open]] (2)
|−14 (67-64-70-69=270)
|7 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ed Oliver (golfer)|Ed Oliver]]
|-
|align=center|37
|align=right|Mar 9, 1947
|[[Miami International Four-Ball]] (3)<br>(with {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]])
|colspan=2 align=center|3 and 2
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lawson Little]] and {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|-
|align=center|38
|align=right|May 18, 1947
|[[Colonial National Invitation]] (2)
|−1 (68-72-70-69=279)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Toney Penna]]
|-
|align=center|39
|align=right|Jun 29, 1947
|[[Chicago Victory Open]] (2)
|−14 (66-68-66-70=270)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-
|align=center|40
|align=right|Jul 13, 1947
|[[Inverness Invitational Four-Ball]] (3)<br>(with {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]])
|align=center|+12 points
|2 points
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Clayton Heafner]] and {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ellsworth Vines]]
|-
|align=center|41
|align=right|Sep 28, 1947
|[[World Championship of Golf]]
|−9 (65-70=135)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bobby Locke]]
|-
|align=center|42
|align=right|Jan 5, 1948
|[[Los Angeles Open]] (3)
|−9 (68-70-70-67=275)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|43
|align=right|May 25, 1948
|'''[[1948 PGA Championship|PGA Championship]]''' (2)
|colspan=2 align=center|7 and 6
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Turnesa]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|44
|align=right|Jun 12, 1948
|'''[[1948 U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]'''
|−8 (67-72-68-69=276)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]]
|- 
|align=center|45
|align=right|Jun 27, 1948
|[[Inverness Invitational Four-Ball]] (4)<br>(with {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]])
|align=center|+16 points
|10 points
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Vic Ghezzi]] and {{flagicon|USA}} [[Chick Harbert]]
|- 
|align=center|46
|align=right|Jul 4, 1948
|[[Motor City Open]]
|−9 (70-73-66-66=275)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dutch Harrison]]
|-
|align=center|47
|align=right|Jul 25, 1948
|[[Reading Open]]
|−19 (67-72-66-64=269)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fred Haas]]
|-
|align=center|48
|align=right|Aug 1, 1948
|[[Western Open]] (2)
|−7 (67-70-70-74=281)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ed Oliver (golfer)|Ed Oliver]]
|-
|align=center|49
|align=right|Aug 22, 1948
|[[Denver Open Invitational]] 
|−18 (66-67-70-67=270)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fred Haas]]
|-
|align=center|50
|align=right|Sep 6, 1948
|Reno Open
|−19 (67-69-65-68=269)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dick Metz]]
|-
|align=center|51
|align=right|Oct 17, 1948
|Glendale Open
|−13 (69-68-74-64=275)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|-
|align=center|52
|align=right|Jan 16, 1949
|[[Bing Crosby Pro-Am]]
|−8 (70-68-70=208)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Jim Ferrier]]
|-
|align=center|53
|align=right|Jan 24, 1949
|[[Long Beach Open]]
|−12 (68-66-70-68=272)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|54
|align=right|Jun 10, 1950
|'''[[1950 U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]''' (2)
| +7 (72-69-72-74=287)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[George Fazio]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|55
|align=right|Apr 8, 1951
|'''[[1951 Masters Tournament|Masters Tournament]]'''
|−8 (70-72-70-68=280)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Skee Riegel]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|56
|align=right|Jun 16, 1951
|'''[[1951 U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]''' (3)
| +7 (76-73-71-67=287)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Clayton Heafner]]
|-
|align=center|57
|align=right|Aug 12, 1951
|[[World Championship of Golf]] (2)
|−15 (68-69-70-66=273)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]]
|-
|align=center|58
|align=right|May 25, 1952
|[[Colonial National Invitation]] (3)
|−1 (74-67-71-67=279)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|59
|align=right|Apr 12, 1953
|'''[[1953 Masters Tournament|Masters Tournament]]''' (2)
|−14 (70-69-66-69=274)
|5 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ed Oliver (golfer)|Ed Oliver]]
|-
|align=center|60
|align=right|May 3, 1953
|Pan American Open
|−2 (72-72-68-74=286)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dave Douglas (golfer)|Dave Douglas]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Fred Haas]]
|-
|align=center|61
|align=right|May 24, 1953
|[[Colonial National Invitation]] (4)
| +2 (73-71-71-67=282)
|5 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Doug Ford (golfer)|Doug Ford]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Cary Middlecoff]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|62
|align=right|Jun 13, 1953
|'''[[1953 U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]''' (4)
|−5 (67-72-73-71=283)
|6 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|63
|align=right|Jul 10, 1953
|'''[[1953 Open Championship|The Open Championship]]'''
|−6 (73-71-70-68=282)
|4 strokes
|{{Flagicon|ARG}} [[Antonio Cerdá]], {{Flagicon|WAL}} [[Dai Rees]],<br>{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Frank Stranahan]], {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|-
|align=center|64
|align=right|May 3, 1959
|[[Colonial National Invitation]] (5)
| +5 (69-67-77-72=285)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fred Hawkins (golfer)|Fred Hawkins]]
|}

Source: {{Harv |Barkow|1989|pp=261–262}}

===Other wins (5)===
''this list is probably incomplete''
*1940 [[Westchester Open]], Westchester PGA Championship
*1950 [[Greenbrier Pro-Am]]
*1956 [[World Cup of Golf]] individual; [[World Cup of Golf]] team

==Major championships==
===Wins (9)===
{|class="wikitable"
!Year!!Championship!!54 holes!!Winning score!!Margin!!Runner(s)-up
|-style="background:#D8BFD8;"
|[[1946 PGA Championship|1946]] ||[[PGA Championship]] ||align=center|n/a ||align=center|6 & 4 ||align=center|n/a ||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Ed Oliver (golfer)|Ed Oliver]]
|-style="background:#D8BFD8;"
|[[1948 PGA Championship|1948]] ||[[PGA Championship]] <small>(2)</small> ||align=center|n/a ||align=center|7 & 6 ||align=center|n/a ||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Turnesa]]
|-style="background:#FBCEB1;"
|[[1948 U.S. Open (golf)|1948]] ||[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] ||2 shot lead ||−8 (67-72-68-69=276) ||2 strokes ||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Demaret]]
|-style="background:#FBCEB1;"
|[[1950 U.S. Open (golf)|1950]] ||[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] <small>(2)</small> ||2 shot deficit ||+7 (72-69-72-74=287) ||Playoff<sup>1</sup> ||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[George Fazio]], {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Lloyd Mangrum]]
|-style="background:#D0F0C0;"
|[[1951 Masters Tournament|1951]] ||[[Masters Tournament]] ||1 shot deficit ||−8 (70-72-70-68=280) ||2 strokes ||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Skee Riegel]]
|-style="background:#FBCEB1;"
|[[1951 U.S. Open (golf)|1951]] ||[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] <small>(3)</small>||2 shot deficit ||+7 (76-73-71-67=287) ||2 strokes ||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Clayton Heafner]]
|-style="background:#D0F0C0;"
|[[1953 Masters Tournament|1953]] ||[[Masters Tournament]] <small>(2)</small> ||4 shot lead ||−14 (70-69-66-69=274) ||5 strokes ||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Ed Oliver (golfer)|Ed Oliver]]
|-style="background:#FBCEB1;"
|[[1953 U.S. Open (golf)|1953]] ||[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] <small>(4)</small> ||1 shot lead ||−5 (67-72-73-71=283) ||6 strokes ||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|-style="background:#ABCDEF;"
|[[1953 Open Championship|1953]] ||[[The Open Championship]] ||Tied for lead ||−6 (73-71-70-68=282) ||4 strokes ||{{Flagicon|ARG}} [[Antonio Cerdá]], {{Flagicon|WAL}} [[Dai Rees]],<br />{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Frank Stranahan]], {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|}
''Note: The PGA Championship was match play until 1958'' <br />
<sup>1</sup>Defeated Mangrum and Fazio in 18-hole playoff; Hogan 69 (−1), Mangrum 73 (+3), Fazio 75 (+5).

===Results timeline===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
!1934
!1935
!1936
!1937
!1938
!1939
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|T25
|style="background:yellow;"|9
|-
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|CUT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|CUT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|CUT
|T62
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:yellow;"|R16
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
!1940
!1941
!1942
!1943
!1944
!1945
!1946
!1947
!1948
!1949
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:yellow;"|T10
|style="background:yellow;"|4
|style="background:yellow;"|2
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:yellow;"|2
|style="background:yellow;"|T4
|style="background:yellow;"|T6
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|style="background:yellow;"|T5
|style="background:yellow;"|T3
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:yellow;"|T4
|style="background:yellow;"|T6
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1948 U.S. Open (golf)|1]]'''
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]
|style="background:yellow;"|QF
|style="background:yellow;"|QF
|style="background:yellow;"|QF
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1946 PGA Championship|1]]'''
|R64
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1948 PGA Championship|1]]'''
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
!1950
!1951
!1952
!1953
!1954
!1955
!1956
!1957
!1958
!1959
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:yellow;"|T4
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1951 Masters Tournament|1]]'''
|style="background:yellow;"|T7
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1953 Masters Tournament|1]]'''
|style="background:yellow;"|2
|style="background:yellow;"|2
|style="background:yellow;"|T8
|CUT
|T14
|T30
|-
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1950 U.S. Open (golf)|1]]'''
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1951 U.S. Open (golf)|1]]'''
|style="background:yellow;"|3
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1953 U.S. Open (golf)|1]]'''
|style="background:yellow;"|T6
|style="background:yellow;"|2
|style="background:yellow;"|T2
|style="background:#eeeeee;"| <!-- Hogan withdrew from the 1957 U.S. Open on Thursday, immediately before his first round began due to pack pain.{{Cite news |last=Wolfe |first=Don |date=June 13, 1957 |title=Ben Hogan withdraws from national open play |page=1 |work=Toledo Blade |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gjgxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ywAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4829%2C5297096}}{{Cite news |date=June 14, 1957 |title=Dejected Hogan quits because of backache |page=24 |work=Montreal Gazette |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zjgjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jpgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4979%2C2994745}}{{Cite web |last=Wind |first=Herbert Warren |date=June 24, 1957 |title=Fame calls on Dick Mayer |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1132122/index.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102072210/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1132122/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 2, 2013 |website=Sports Illustrated}} -->
|style="background:yellow;"|T10
|style="background:yellow;"|T8
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:lime;"|'''[[1953 Open Championship|1]]'''
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
!1960
!1961
!1962
!1963
!1964
!1965
!1966
!1967
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:yellow;"|T6
|T32
|38
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:yellow;"|T9
|T21
|T13
|style="background:yellow;"|T10
|-
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|style="background:yellow;"|T9
|T14
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|12
|T34
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]
|CUT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:yellow;"|T9
|T15
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|}
{{legend|lime|Win}}
{{legend|yellow|Top 10}}
{{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}}
NT = no tournament<br />
WD = Withdrew<br />
CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1960 PGA Championship)<br />
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play<br />
"T" indicates a tie for a place

===Summary===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
!Tournament !! Wins !! 2nd !! 3rd !! Top-5 !! Top-10 !! Top-25 !! Events !! Cuts made
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]         || 2 || 4 || 0 ||  9 || 17 || 21 || 25 || 24
|-
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] || 4 || 2 || 2 || 10 || 15 || 17 || 22 || 19
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]      || 1 || 0 || 0 ||  1 ||  1 ||  1 ||  1 ||  1
|-
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]           || 2 || 0 || 0 ||  5 ||  7 ||  8 || 10 ||  9
|-
!Totals                                    !! 9 !! 6 !! 2 !! 25 !! 40 !! 47 !! 58 !! 53
|}
*Longest streak of top-10s – 18 (1948 Masters – 1956 U.S. Open)
*Most consecutive cuts made – 35 (1939 Masters – 1956 U.S. Open)

==U.S. national team appearances==
'''Professional'''
*[[Ryder Cup]]: [[1947 Ryder Cup|1947]] (winners, playing captain), [[1949 Ryder Cup|1949]] (winners, non-playing captain), [[1951 Ryder Cup|1951]] (winners), [[1967 Ryder Cup|1967]] (winners, non-playing captain)
*[[World Cup (men's golf)|Canada Cup]]: [[1956 Canada Cup|1956]] (winners, individual winner), [[1958 Canada Cup|1958]]

==See also==
*[[List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins]]
*[[List of golfers with most wins in one PGA Tour event]]
*[[List of men's major championships winning golfers]]
*[[Longest PGA Tour win streaks]]
*[[Most PGA Tour wins in a year]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*"Ben Hogan: "Players Were Afraid"" (1999). In ''ESPN SportsCentury''. Michael MacCambridge, Editor. New York: Hyperion ESPN Books. pp.&nbsp;142–3.
*{{Cite book |last=Barkow |first=Al |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofpgatour00bark |title=The History of the PGA TOUR |publisher=[[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]] |year=1989 |isbn=0-385-26145-4 |author-link=Al Barkow}}
*{{Cite book |last=Dodson |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/benhoganamerican00dods |title=Ben Hogan: An American Life |publisher=Doubleday |year=2004 |isbn=0-385-50312-1 |location=New York}}
*{{Cite book |last1=McLean |first1=Jim |title=The Complete Hogan |last2=McCarthy |first2=Tom |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-470-87624-4 |location=New Jersey}}
*{{Cite book |last=Tschetter |first=Kris |title=Mr. Hogan the Man I Knew |publisher=Gotham |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-592-40545-9 |location=New York}}

==External links==
*{{Find a Grave|3151}}
*{{PGA Tour player|01528}}
*{{World Golf Hall of Fame|ben-hogan}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20210303210825/http://www.35mmgolf.com/ Ben Hogan -  Photos by A Ravielli Taken For ''The Five Lessons of Golf'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121114062103/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/7732810/Ben-Hogan.html Ben Hogan - ''Daily Telegraph'' obituary]
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527030254/http://golf.about.com/od/golfersmen/p/ben_hogan.htm |title=Ben Hogan at golf.about.com |date=May 27, 2016 }}
*[http://www.benhogan.com Ben Hogan's official site]
*[https://www.benhoganmuseum.org Official Ben Hogan Museum]

{{navboxes|title=Ben Hogan in the [[Men's major golf championships|major championships]]
|list1=
{{The Masters champions}}
{{U.S. Open champions}}
{{The Open champions}}
{{PGA Champions}}
{{Men's Career Grand Slam Champion Golfers}}
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{{PGA Players of the Year}}
{{navboxes|title=Ben Hogan in the [[Ryder Cup]]
|list1={{American Ryder Cup Captains}}
{{1947 United States Ryder Cup team}}
{{1949 United States Ryder Cup team}}
{{1951 United States Ryder Cup team}}
{{1967 United States Ryder Cup team}}
}}
{{Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year navbox}}
{{Hickok Belt}}
{{Portalbar|Biography|Sports|United States}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hogan, Ben}}
[[Category:American male golfers]]
[[Category:PGA Tour golfers]]
[[Category:Winners of men's major golf championships]]
[[Category:Ryder Cup competitors for the United States]]
[[Category:Men's Career Grand Slam champion golfers]]
[[Category:World Golf Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:American golf writers]]
[[Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army Air Forces officers]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Texas]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Stephenville, Texas]]
[[Category:Golfers from Fort Worth, Texas]]
[[Category:1912 births]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]