Scotland’s Chris Doak was today set to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ben Hogan.
Hogan won the US Open on Merion’s East Course in 1950 just 16 months after a near-fatal road accident, hitting a brilliant one-iron into the 72nd hole to help secure his place in a three-man play-off he won the following day.
A plaque on the 18th fairway marks the spot from where Hogan hit his approach and Doak has been itching to see it for himself since qualifying for his first Major last month.
“I am really excited,” said Doak, 35.
“My coach, Bob Torrance, loves Ben Hogan and is always telling stories of when he spent a week with him at his home in Texas. He always says Hogan had the purest golf swing of any player who has lived. It’ll be good to walk the same ground where Hogan won and see the place where he hit that shot.”
