It was early 1949. Hogan and his wife Valerie were driving their Cadillac in Texas when their car collided head-on with a Greyhound bus.

Hogan reacted instinctively, throwing himself at Valerie to protect her. This action likely saved his life, as the car’s steering wheel and dashboard were badly damaged where he would normally sit. Hogan suffered serious injuries, including a broken pelvis, femur, rib, and a broken shoulder. The fate of another golf giant, Tiger Woods, comes to mind. In both cases, the accident had a profound effect on the careers of both champions.

At the time, Hogan was at the peak of his golfing skills, and his future in the sport was in question. Against all odds, after a long and difficult recovery, Hogan returned to golf, which was considered a remarkable feat. His comeback was spectacular – he won the 1950 US Open, just 16 months after the accident, in what is considered one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.

The accident and Hogan’s return to the golf course inspired many and demonstrated his extraordinary determination and strength of character. He became a symbol of perseverance and dedication, and his story is often cited as an example of tenacity and passion for the game.

Ben Hogan was a pioneer in golf training methodology, introducing many innovative methods that have had a significant impact on the way golfers train and understand the game to this day. It was this innovation and knowledge of his own body that allowed him to successfully cope with the challenges of his own body after his accident in February 1949.

Hogan became famous for his in-depth analysis of the mechanics of his swing. He spent countless hours on the driving range. His methodical approach to training was innovative at a time when most players relied on natural talent and intuition. I am convinced that today, driving range training would be largely replaced by numerical analysis of the kinetic chain at colleague Bartkowski's, and would be supported by Trackman numbers.

In his book Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf, Hogan outlined five key elements he believed were essential to a successful swing. These principles, including grip, stance, backswing, downswing, and finishing position, became the foundation of modern golf instruction.

The technique was complemented by mental training and strategy on the course. Hogan was known for his strong will and intense focus on the game. He emphasized the importance of the mental side of golf, including concentration, discipline and the ability to handle pressure.

It was these skills, combined with the determination necessary in moments of greatest drama, that made him a true champion.