Ben Hogan at the Masters

By golfdigest.com

March 24, 2008

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Defending champion Ben Hogan sits in Augusta National's golf shop prior to the 1954 Masters. The two-time winner would finish in a tie for first with Sam Snead after four rounds, with Snead besting Hogan in the 18-hole Monday playoff, 70-71.Defending champion Ben Hogan sits in Augusta National's golf shop prior to the 1954 Masters. The two-time winner would finish in a tie for first with Sam Snead after four rounds, with Snead besting Hogan in the 18-hole Monday playoff, 70-71.

The Masters has long hosted elite players from around the world. Here, in a publicity shot taken before the 1950 Tournament, Tony Holquin (left) Mexico's Open champion, and Roberto De Vicenzo, Argentina's Open champion, watch Ben Hogan practicing on the putting green. Hogan tied for fourth that year; De Vicenzo for 12th; and Holquin for 44th, as Jimmy Demaret became the first three-time Masters champion.The Masters has long hosted elite players from around the world. Here, in a publicity shot taken before the 1950 Tournament, Tony Holquin (left) Mexico's Open champion, and Roberto De Vicenzo, Argentina's Open champion, watch Ben Hogan practicing on the putting green. Hogan tied for fourth that year; De Vicenzo for 12th; and Holquin for 44th, as Jimmy Demaret became the first three-time Masters champion.

Hogan strikes a confident pose before the 1951 Masters as defending champion Jimmy Demaret points out some Augusta National landmarks to Argentinians Juan Seguar and Roberto De Vicenzo (far right).Hogan strikes a confident pose before the 1951 Masters as defending champion Jimmy Demaret points out some Augusta National landmarks to Argentinians Juan Seguar and Roberto De Vicenzo (far right).

Hogan blasts from a bunker during the 1951 Masters, in an era before close-cropped edging and white feldspar sand. Trailing Robert "Skee" Riegel by a stroke after three rounds, Hogan shot a four-birdie, no-bogey 68 on Sunday to win by two, capturing his first Masters title.Hogan blasts from a bunker during the 1951 Masters, in an era before close-cropped edging and white feldspar sand. Trailing Robert "Skee" Riegel by a stroke after three rounds, Hogan shot a four-birdie, no-bogey 68 on Sunday to win by two, capturing his first Masters title.

Surrounded by thousands of patrons following the final round of the 1951 Masters, Hogan chips to within inches of the pin on 18...Surrounded by thousands of patrons following the final round of the 1951 Masters, Hogan chips to within inches of the pin on 18...

Hogan holes out on the 72nd hole as Lew Worsham, Jr., looks on. Worsham finished four strokes back, tying for third with Lloyd Mangrum.Hogan holes out on the 72nd hole as Lew Worsham, Jr., looks on. Worsham finished four strokes back, tying for third with Lloyd Mangrum.

Hogan tees off on the third hole in the first round of the 1953 Masters. After winning his first Green Jacket in 1951, Hogan returned in '52 and hosted the first Masters Club dinner (popularly known as the Champions dinner). In 1952, Hogan finished seven strokes back of winner Sam Snead, shooting a 79 in windy conditions on Sunday.Hogan tees off on the third hole in the first round of the 1953 Masters. After winning his first Green Jacket in 1951, Hogan returned in '52 and hosted the first Masters Club dinner (popularly known as the Champions dinner). In 1952, Hogan finished seven strokes back of winner Sam Snead, shooting a 79 in windy conditions on Sunday.

Hogan's two-round total is plain to see in 1953.Hogan's two-round total is plain to see in 1953.

Hogan raises his putter as he watches his putt from the fringe roll toward the hole on the 15th green during third-round action in 1953. His 66 on Saturday was the low round of the Tournament.Hogan raises his putter as he watches his putt from the fringe roll toward the hole on the 15th green during third-round action in 1953. His 66 on Saturday was the low round of the Tournament.

Hogan sinks his last putt in 1953 to complete a five-stroke victory over Ed "Porky" Oliver. His record low total of 14-under 280 stood for 12 years.Hogan sinks his last putt in 1953 to complete a five-stroke victory over Ed "Porky" Oliver. His record low total of 14-under 280 stood for 12 years.

Golf legend Bobby Jones Jr., founder and president of Augusta National, congratulates Hogan and runner-up Oliver after their performances in 1953. Looking on is longtime Masters chairman Clifford Roberts.Golf legend Bobby Jones Jr., founder and president of Augusta National, congratulates Hogan and runner-up Oliver after their performances in 1953. Looking on is longtime Masters chairman Clifford Roberts.

Playing in drizzling rain, Hogan pitches to the second green in the 1954 Masters. A year after setting the scoring record, Hogan shot an opening-round 72 and tied Snead with a four-round 289 total, which remains the highest winning score in Masters history.Playing in drizzling rain, Hogan pitches to the second green in the 1954 Masters. A year after setting the scoring record, Hogan shot an opening-round 72 and tied Snead with a four-round 289 total, which remains the highest winning score in Masters history.

This photo captures Hogan chipping in from 40 feet for a birdie 3 on the seventh hole during the second round of the 1954 Masters. He shot a 73, finishing the day one stroke back of amateur Billy Joe Patton.This photo captures Hogan chipping in from 40 feet for a birdie 3 on the seventh hole during the second round of the 1954 Masters. He shot a 73, finishing the day one stroke back of amateur Billy Joe Patton.

Hogan chips to the second green in the fourth round of the 1954 Masters. Hogan shot a 75 to finish at one over par for the tournament. Snead shot a 72 on Sunday to join Hogan in the playoff. Amateur Billy Joe Patton led at one point during the final round, then took a seven on the 13th hole, finishing with a 71 and 290 total, one stroke shy of the playoff.Hogan chips to the second green in the fourth round of the 1954 Masters. Hogan shot a 75 to finish at one over par for the tournament. Snead shot a 72 on Sunday to join Hogan in the playoff. Amateur Billy Joe Patton led at one point during the final round, then took a seven on the 13th hole, finishing with a 71 and 290 total, one stroke shy of the playoff.

Ben Hogan strokes a long putt on the first hole of Masters playoff in 1954.Ben Hogan strokes a long putt on the first hole of Masters playoff in 1954.

Hogan lofts a shot from the sand on the second hole of the '54 playoff.Hogan lofts a shot from the sand on the second hole of the '54 playoff.

A year after their Monday duel, Snead and Hogan stroll down the fairway prior to the beginning of the 1955 Masters. Both men played well -- Hogan finishing second and Snead in third -- but Cary Middelcoff won going away.A year after their Monday duel, Snead and Hogan stroll down the fairway prior to the beginning of the 1955 Masters. Both men played well -- Hogan finishing second and Snead in third -- but Cary Middelcoff won going away.

Patrons ring the first fairway from tee to green as Hogan, 54, tees off in the final round of the 1967 Masters. After a 6-under 66 on Saturday, Hogan was two strokes behind the leaders going into the final 18 holes. He shot a 77 to finish T10; Gay Brewer shot a 67 to finish 10 strokes ahead of Hogan and one shot clear of Bobby Nichols.Patrons ring the first fairway from tee to green as Hogan, 54, tees off in the final round of the 1967 Masters. After a 6-under 66 on Saturday, Hogan was two strokes behind the leaders going into the final 18 holes. He shot a 77 to finish T10; Gay Brewer shot a 67 to finish 10 strokes ahead of Hogan and one shot clear of Bobby Nichols.

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Ben Hogan at the Masters

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