US Open – 20 Top Triumphs and Upsets to Remember

#4: Ben Hogan’s miraculous 1950 US Open win was as surprising as it was impressive.

Known as the “Miracle at Merion,” the 1950 US Open may have been Ben Hogan’s finest hour as a professional golfer. Playing just 16 months after sustaining severe injuries due to an automobile accident, the Texan kept his cool to win in a playoff over Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio.

Hogan played well throughout the week, but he was still two strokes off Mangrum’s pace after Saturday morning’s third round. That afternoon, the players headed back out to finish the event, and while he made just one birdie on the front nine, the Hawk found himself in the driver’s seat as he made the turn.

Neither he nor Mangrum was able to break par on the back nine, but Hogan leaked more oil down the stretch; by the end of regulation, they were tied with Fazio, who had already signed for his 70.

The Sunday playoff was a relatively even one, with no player able to break away until the end of the round. Three straight bogeys for Fazio from 14 to 16 ruined his chances, but through 15 holes, Mangrum trailed Hogan by a single stroke.

As he was standing over his par putt on 16, however, Mangrum picked up his ball to remove a bug, a violation of what was then rule 10, paragraph 2. He incurred a two-stroke penalty, giving Hogan an easy path to the win, his fourth major victory and second US Open title.

Next: 1913: Francis Ouimet