His game unrecognisable, Hogan sensibly played down speculation about a return to tournament golf, telling one reporter who telephoned his home, "Don't waste your time writing about me ... people are tired hearing about Ben Hogan. They're interested in the guys who are playing now. It will not be long before they forget all about me."
Two months later Hogan turned that comment on its head by returning to competitive action at the Los Angeles Open at Riviera Country Club. Affectionately known as "Hogan's Alley" after his 1948 US Open victory, he asked tournament organisers to leave his name off the starting list for as long as possible in case he was forced to withdraw. When he did finally turn up for the opening round in early January there was an audible intake of breath from the assembled crowd. Visibly underweight, the effect was made worse by a pair of loose-fitting trousers which he wore to hide the heavy linen bandages he used to aid circulation in both legs.
A nervy opening round of 73 was followed by three consecutive rounds of 69. Matching Sam Snead's total of 280, an epic Californian rainstorm postponed the 18-hole play-off for 24 hours. Still not enough recovery time for the still aching Hogan, "Slammin' Sammy" beat him 72-76 to take the title. Talking to reporters afterwards, Snead admitted: "There are only three things I fear on a golf course – lightning, a downhill putt and Ben Hogan."
Invited to play in the Phoenix Open a week later – almost precisely 12 months after his career-threatening accident – Hogan understandably declined. Out of respect, the organisers renamed that year's tournament, the Ben Hogan Open.
In May, Hogan got his revenge on Snead by winning the Greenbrier Open in the Slammer's own back yard at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Matching the all-time world record score for a 72-hole tournament of 259 (21-under-par), he said: "I'm picking up where I left off ... " Nobody was arguing, least of all Sam Snead.
The comeback was all but complete. All that was needed now was a fairytale ending, and the 1950 US Open at Merion in June seemed a perfect fit. Having finished in a tie for fourth at The Masters, Hogan was immediately installed as the "fans favourite" to win the second major of the year.
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