The Background
Fresh off the back of one of the best years in his playing career Ben Hogan was looking forward to another great season in 1949.
The American finished top of the money list standings in 1948 after winning the US Open and PGA Championship to take his major haul up to three.
What was to follow was a disastrous start to his year…
The Scene
Hogan and his wife Valerie were travelling in thick fog in Texas and were involved in a head on collision with a Greyhound bus. Luckily, the American’s instinctive actions saved both himself and his wife.
Hogan threw himself over his wife in the passenger seat to protect but at the same time saved himself as the steering column pierced through his seat.
However, the 36 year old still suffered near fatal blood clots and suffered fractures to his pelvis, left ankle and his collar bone.
The Legacy
Doctors feared he would never walk again following the accident but Hogan left hospital within 59 days but would suffer from the accident for the rest of his life.
Remarkably he almost won on his return to golf in 1950 when he lost in a play-off to Sam Snead at the Los Angeles Open.
What was even more remarkable, however, was the fact Hogan went on to win the US Open that year at Merion and was also named Player of the Year in 1950.
Hogan also added another five majors to his collection following the US Open triumph meaning he won six out of nine after his near fatal accident.