Southern California's No. 1 Golf Source
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2008 U.S. Open
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 But although Riviera lobbied for the event, the USGA passed it over, leaving the venerable course in Pacific Palisades to cling to future hope and memories of 60 years ago. In 1948, Riviera didn't have a reputation as one of the most hallowed spots in professional golf. It had held only six professional tournaments, all of them Los Angeles Opens. But in June of that year, when the course played host to its first U.S. Open - which was also the first in California - Ben Hogan was on his way to elevating Riviera to legendary status. After shooting a 289 to finish a distant second to Byron Nelson in the 1946 Los Angeles Open, Hogan shot a 280 the next year to beat Tony Peña by three strokes. In 1948, he shot a tournament record 275 to beat Lloyd Mangrum by four strokes. It was like Hogan owned the course, which led to the site's unofficial nickname of "Hogan's Alley." But the best was yet to come. Four months after his record triumph, Hogan was back at Riviera and fired an opening-round 67 in the U.S. Open to share the lead with defending champion Lew Worsham. Hogan shot a 72 in the second round to fall one stroke behind Sam Snead but rallied on the 36-hole final day to finish with a U.S. Open four-round scoring record of 276, which stood until 1967 when Jack Nicklaus shot a 275 at Baltusrol. Later in 1948, Hogan became the first player since Gene Sarazen to win the PGA Championship and U.S. Open in the same year, and from August 1945 to February 1949, Hogan won 37 times, including three majors. Hogan's dominance was derailed on February 2, 1949, when his car was struck head-on by a Greyhound bus in Texas. Hogan and his wife, Valerie, survived, but Hogan suffered several broken bones and blood clots. Doctors told him he might never walk again. Yet 59 days later he walked out of the hospital and into history. In February 1950, Hogan showed up at Riviera to play in the Los Angeles Open, where he lost in a playoff to Sam Snead. He lost that battle but won the war, endearing himself to the golfing public and adding a mythological gloss to a reclusive but spectacular career. And the best was yet to come: Five months later, Hogan won his second U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club; a year later, he captured his third at Oakland Hills; and No. 4 came in 1953 at the treacherous Oakmont Country Club. All told, Hogan is one of only four men to win four U.S. Opens. SG |
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