07/10/2024
This Day in Hogan History:
July 9, 1953 Ben played the second round of The Open Championship contested at the Carnoustie Championship Course in Angus Scotland. Ben shot a 71 to go along with his 73 during the previous day finishing in a tie for fourth, two strokes behind Dai Rees and Eric Brown. Roberto De Vicenzo shot a 71 to finish alone in third place. Tied with Ben was American Amateur, Frank Stranahan and future Hall of Famer, Peter Thomson. Well known golf commentator, author, golf course designer and Hall of Famer, Peter Alliss, shot 73 – 72 to finish in a tie for twelfth.
Playing on a windless day Hogan seemed to be heading for a great round as he putted for birdies on six of the first eight holes and got to two under par. But on the seventh hole, he hit what called a “dumb shot”. The ball got caught under the lip of a bunker and instead of playing out safely he tried to slug it out and ended up through the fairway on the other side in the rough. He ended up with a bogie five on the hole.
Putting again was Hogan’s biggest challenge and he repeatedly had long rolls miss the cup by less than two inches.
The previous day’s leader, Bobby Locke blew up at the end of the second round shooting a pair of five’s when he reasonably could have shot a pair of fours or even four and three.
Pictured is Ben Hogan hitting driver on the tenth tee during the second round at the 1953 Open Championship held at Carnoustie Champion Golf Course in Angus Scotland.
