Hogan's '53 U.S. Open win remains unrivaled

In half a century of hosting some of the nation's most important golf tournaments, nobody beat par over four rounds at Oakmont. But when Ben Hogan tamed the fearsome Pennsylvania layout in 1953 to win the U.S. Open by six shots over Sam Snead, that streak ended in glorious fashion. And, according to PGATOUR.com's Brett Avery, a legend was born.

By Brett Avery, PGATOUR.COM Contributor

Stroke for stroke, Ben Hogan's performance in 1953 was arguably the most impressive season by a professional in the game's history.

Six 72-hole tournaments. Five victories.

The Masters.

The Pan American Open in Mexico City.

The Colonial National Invitation in his hometown of Fort Worth.

The U.S. Open at Oakmont.

The British Open at Carnoustie.

The only time Hogan failed to capture a four-round tournament was when he tied for third in early May in the Greenbrier Pro-Am, won by local favorite Sam Snead between the Pan American and Colonial.

Even factoring in two short winter events prior to the Masters, a tie for second in the 36-hole Seminole Pro-Am Invitational and tie for eighth in the 18-hole Palmetto Pro-Am, it was as flawless a season as one could imagine.

Oakmont became the literal keystone in the Hogan Slam, so designated because he had no opportunity to compete in the PGA Championship -- its July 7 final round coincided with the British's second round at Carnoustie.

And he did it by analyzing the best way to go around Oakmont, terrifying to the extreme.

So complete was Hogan's confidence, and so startling his game plan, that at the uphill, 292-yard 17th he deliberately drove into the snarling rough to have the best angle for his pitch onto the putting surface.

In half a century of hosting some of the nation's most important tournaments, nobody beat par over four rounds at Oakmont. But Hogan did, a 283 total that was six better than Snead that week and 11 better than the return of Willie MacFarlane in the 1934 Pennsylvania Open, widely regarded as the record.

Old-timers contended that the club's removal of about 60 bunkers and introduction of some width to the fairways defanged the brute. Be magnanimous and concede the point on the basis of winning scores in Oakmont's two previous Opens of 301 (Tommy Armour) and 299 (Sam Parks Jr.).

But hold firm in any other debate of any other preposition. There were 157 men who began the 53rd U.S. Open and although 20 of them beat 300 for the week, none of the others came close.

Oakmont surrendered a total of four sub-par rounds in those first two Opens, in 1927 and 1935. Hogan bettered it twice in three [[italics]] days: [[end italics]] 67 in the opening round, 71 in the latter half of a 36-hole final day.

Most impressive of all, he became the first U.S.-born professional to win the National Open a fourth time, to go with cradling the trophy in 1949, '50 and '51. Willie Anderson, the Scottish pro, won in 1901, '03, '04 and '05. Bob Jones, the impeccable Atlanta amateur, did it in 1923, '26, '29 and his Grand Slam season of '30.

Hogan's fourth came after whispers had circulated for nearly a year that his game was deteriorating, following a 79 to close the 1952 Masters and a third in the Open in Dallas.

But Hogan's fourth Open came at 40, in an era when that age was akin to today's 55. He elevated his game yet again after the 1949 car-bus accident that nearly claimed his life. He required rest, hot baths to ease his muscles and fortitude to disregard the continual pain. He was hobbled, certainly, but undaunted.

Facing Oakmont at its best is like facing your own demons at their worst. The goal is a low score, yes, but better yet to avoid embarrassment. When Hogan returned that 67 to begin the tournament it were as if the worst hell rained down on his foes.

"This evening it was the conclusion of players and observers here that Hogan already has gained an invaluable advantage," wrote Lincoln Werden, the esteemed writer of The New York Times. "Under sunny skies, Hogan seemed at his supreme best. He walked jauntily to the first tee and his manner and poise constantly reflected buoyant confidence."

Hogan card had as many deuces as 5s (two apiece). When he matched par the next day it gave Snead, still looking for the only significant title which had eluded his grasp, to close within two thanks to his own 69. George Fazio shared 141 with him.

Play was crawling by that era's standards -- rounds of four-and-a-half hours prompted USGA officials to warn several players. But no matter how long the final day lasted it promised any possibility. At the midpoint Hogan said anyone within 10 had a chance.

He also said he thought 282 would win.

In those years the tournament division of the PGA of America, which conducted the weekly tournaments, would have put the pair in the final group and let them slug it out. The USGA followed its own path for its one week running the show, though, and put Snead out an hour behind Hogan.

The West Virginian crept a stroke closer in the morning with 72 and when they both went out in 38 in the afternoon it was impossible to choose which player to watch. The best choice was Hogan, as he played the last nine in 33, making birdie at the last, while Snead carded another 38.

Hogan was ecstatic but realistic. "I'm not so sure that I will play next year to try to make it five," he said.

He would play nine more times, in fact, and although he never won again -- he lost an 18-hole playoff to Jack Fleck in 1955 and took second by a stroke to Cary Middlecoff in 1956 -- Hogan did not place outside the top 10 until his final three attempts. His Open career ended with his 22nd and final start, a fond farewell at Baltusrol in 1967, where he tied for 34th.

Once he had four in hand, Hogan skipped Opens here and there, including its next visit to Oakmont in 1963. He was nearly 51 and suffering from bursitis. No matter. He had already tamed the course. It didn't deserve a return engagement.