Miracle at Merion

Legendary sportswriter Red Smith characterized Ben Hogans comeback from a near-fatal automobile crash in February 1949 as the most remarkable feat in the history of sports. Nearly sixty years later, that statement still rings true. The crowning moment of Hogans comeback was his dramatic victory in the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia, where his battered legs could barely carry him on the 36-hole final day. Miracle at Merion tells the stirring story of Hogans triumph over adversitythe rarely-performed surgery that saved his life, the months of rehabilitation when he couldnt even hit a golf ball, his stunning return to competition at the Los Angeles Open, and, finally, the U.S. Open triumph that returned him to the pinnacle of the game. While Hogan was severely injured in the accident, fracturing his pelvis, collarbone, rib, and ankle, his life wasnt in danger until two weeks later when blood clots developed in his leg, necessitating emergency surgery. Hogan didnt leave the hospital until April and didnt even touch a golf club until August. It wasnt until November, more than nine months after the accident, that he was able to go to the range to hit balls. Hogans performance at the Los Angeles Open in early January convinced Hollywood to make a movie out of his life and comeback (Follow the Sun, starring Glenn Ford). Five months later, Hogan completed his miraculous comeback by winning the U.S. Open in a riveting 36-hole playoff against Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio, permanently cementing his legacy as one of the sports true legends.