Ben Hogan

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hogan was introduced to golf through caddying at age 11 at Glen Garden Country Club in Fort Worth, walking seven miles each way. He was self-taught, learning by watching the swings of players he caddied for and through trial and error. One of his fellow caddies was future major champion Byron Nelson. At the annual Christmas caddie tournament in 1927, Nelson sank a 30-foot putt on the final hole to tie Hogan, and Hogan ultimately lost the playoff. Hogan later said he felt Nelson had received preferential treatment, and became determined to surpass him. As a Christmas present in 1928, Hogan's mother Clara bought him a set of clubs; she later stated he proclaimed: 'Mama, I'm going to be the greatest golfer that ever lived.' In 1949, Hogan sustained near-fatal injuries in a head-on collision with a bus while driving home from a tournament. He recovered and returned to golf, winning the 1950 U.S. Open in what became known as the 'miracle at Merion.'

In Their Own Story

In 1922, when Hogan was nine years old, his father Chester shot himself with a .38 revolver in the family home in Fort Worth. By some accounts, Hogan was in the same room, although biographer James Dodson noted this was uncertain as the family refused to discuss it and contemporary newspapers gave conflicting reports. The suicide troubled Hogan for the remainder of his life. The family incurred financial difficulties, and nine-year-old Hogan sold newspaper copies at a nearby train station. In a 1983 interview, 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.'

Reader's Guide

Ben Hogan was an American professional golfer who won nine major championships and is one of six men to complete the modern career grand slam. He won the 1948 U.S. Open with a record score of 8-under 276. In 1953, Hogan achieved the Triple Crown with victories at the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship. In total, he won 64 professional tournaments recognized as PGA Tour events. Outside of playing golf, Hogan started 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. Hogan's first major championship was the 1946 PGA Championship, which was one of his 13 tournament victories that year.

Did You Know?

• Hogan was introduced to golf through caddying at age 11 at Glen Garden Country Club in Fort Worth, walking seven miles each way.
• Hogan's father Chester shot himself with a .38 revolver in the family home in Fort Worth on February 13, 1922.
• Hogan won the 1948 U.S. Open with a record score of 8-under 276.
• In 1949, Hogan sustained near-fatal injuries in a head-on collision with a bus while driving home from a tournament.
• Hogan achieved the Triple Crown in 1953 with victories at the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship.