Hogan actually witnessed his own father's suicide at the age of 9. I am sure that had alot to do with Hogans personality. He was truly one of golf's greats.
He's undeniably on the short list of greatest players ever. . Thomson is not alone in pointing out Hogan's cold, prickly personality. Arnold Palmer clearly did not like Hogan, along with many others.
Ben Hogan - The Hawk - wasn't gonna cozy up to you and pat you on the back, he came up the hard, tough way. Sounds like Ben didn't smile at Peter Thompson, and old Pete felt it. Hogan could care less who liked him or not, and who can blame him in this tough life? Hogan clearly had a great swing, maybe the best ever - he forged himself, Thomson, actually had a great swing himself too, somewhat similar to Hogans... Thompson is actually the one who is sort of forgotten, even though he won, what 6 , British Opens ?? One comment by Thompson is odd, 'Hogan, never wrote anything' ?? Hogan wrote several classic instruction books from the 50's that are still read widely today.....
ALL TRUE. Sadly this was a very thoughtless response from Thompson. Hogan is not forgotten, wrote extensively, was interviewed many times and his lack of eloquence, (which is also not true) is irrelevant, it isn't a personality contest. And despite winning 5 Open Championships Thompson isn't hailed by the dominating US media and is largely forgotten or rather ignored. On a side note, as a commentator in Australia Thompson was BRUTAL.
So great to hear Peter Thomson talk. Brilliant, eloquent and underappreciated. Mr. Thomson you were a great champion and you are clearly also a fine gentleman. Thank you for posting this at UA-cam. My hat is off.
I have a lot of respect for Mr Thomson but I want to correct him on one statement he made saying that Hogan ...'never wrote anything....' Higan was very steely and stonefaced but did in fact write one of the greatest books about golf called 'Five Lessons' and he is immortalized by just that one book besides his great career.
Yeah... Ben Hogan wrote two books. Both are still being published. And "Five Lessons" stands as the single best selling instruction book in golfing history.
@@gullybop1695 ...misunderstood?? Thompson said he was not an eloquent man. That Hogan is not revered today because he never spoke or wrote anything. What part is being misunderstood. He clearly does not like Hogan as a man. That's his opinion he is certainly entitled to it. I cannot imagine anyone else who would agree with Mr. Thompson on this. In fact it's laughable that a golfer of Mr. Thompson stature would be so ignorant to make such a claim. What ignorance or maybe just prejudice.. Never the less he comes across as a buffoon to make such a claim. Hogan today is still one of the most admired and REVERED golfers in history. Anyone thinking otherwise is an ignorant fool.
Five Lessons or The Modern Fundamentals was written by the great sportswriter Herbert Warren Wind, you might say that it was “as told by Ben Hogan” but Hogan didn’t write it. It would be very surprising if the earlier book, Power Golf (which I used to have as well as Five Lessons) was not ghosted and actually written by a professional writer. Very few golf books are written by the golfer (thankfully, nobody would read them if they were), e.g. Ken Bowden wrote many of the Jack Nicklaus books. Peter Thomson wrote as a journalist for decades and was the only top golfer who could have written a worthwhile golf book but he never did because he thought playing golf was too simple and didn’t require a whole book and he never got around to writing an autobiography.
Don’t forget “Power Golf”, many consider it even more informative to how Mr. Hogan thought than even “Lessons”. But yes, he’s the Gold Standard for the combination of explaining it and doing it. Based on all the interviews, it’s ridiculous to say he wasn’t eloquent enough to verbally convey his thoughts. No, on the course, he had nothing to say as that wasn’t the job at hand.
Quite wrong about Hogan. There are a number of lengthy interviews right here on UA-cam, and he was a very thoughtful and sincere person, just as well-spoken as Thompson. So he didn’t talk on the golf course. Good for him. Also, Thompson says "he never said anything, he never wrote anything, there's no record". Ridiculous! He wrote The Modern Fundamentals of Golf, an absolute classic to this very day. What did Peter Thompson write?? As far as Hogan "not being revered any more", this is only Thompson's jaundiced opinion. Not that of many others. Gary Player knew them all since the 50s through to today and states clearly Hogan was the greatest player he ever saw.
I read long go that when on the golf course Ben Hogan referred to himself as being “in the office”. This was where he was “at work”, so he did not like being interrupted by media, autograph seekers or any others. Possibly this gave rise to what was considered his “serious demeanour” ? Just a thought
Actions speak louder than words Mr George. Mr Hogan let the golf do the talking. The message may not have been eloquently delivered but, everyone understood what an ass whooping felt like when he left.
Hogan never said anything or wrote anything?? That's ridiculous. His book "Five Lessons" is probably the best-selling book of golf instruction of all time!
Most people who know something about golf don't really understand just how good Ben Hogan was. His career was interrupted twice. First by WW2 military service and then by the 1949 car accident which nearly took his life. Between 1941 and February 1949 he was the greatest player the world will ever see. In 1941 he finished top 2 16 times on the PGA tour & top 5 25 times while setting a new stroke average record of 70.5 which was an utterly amazing number for that technological time frame. In 1941 & '42 combined he finished top 2 in 25 of the 50 events he played. In '42 he scored two 271s to win both the N&S Open (at Pinehurst) & the Hale America National Open (substitute for the cancelled USGA Open and had local & sectional qualifying). He never played in all 4 modern majors in any year. Before the 1960s Americans rarely played in the British Open. The 4th American major at that time was the Western Open. In 1946 he won 13 times on tour including the PGA which was held at matchplay thru 1957, Western Open & the N&S Open. He finished top 5 in all 4 American majors in both 1941 & '46. In 1948 he won 10 times which is still the only time a player has won at least 10 in a year twice & he also won the US Open at 7000 yd Riviera with a record by 5 shots 276, the PGA & the Western Open with an event record 271. During the years 1946 to '48 5 different great players won at least 6 times on tour but each was topped by Hogan's total. Snead & Nelson won 6 each in '46 but Hogan won more (13) than them combined, Locke & Demaret won 6 in '47 but Hogan won 7 & in 1948 Mangrum won 7 but Hogan won 10. Those are the only non-war years in tour history that a player with at least 6 wins did not at least tie for the most wins. That indicates both the greatness of Hogan & how great his competition was. Between 1940 & 1947 he finished top 5 in 12 straight modern majors (next highest streak to this day is 7). However, his greatest achievement is his streak of finishing top 10 & under 290 in 12 consecutive US Open attempts (1941-1956). He did it on 12 different courses & won 5 times (I always include the 1942 Hale America National Open). The 2nd longest streak is STILL 4. To put this amazing feat into further perspective consider that in the 1970 US Open Nicklaus, Palmer & Player all failed to break 300!! Also remember that players were not allowed to clean the ball on the green until 1960. The more one learns about Ben Hogan & the history of the game Mr. Hogan separates himself further from all others who have ever played the game.
Indeed. When he did amazingly return to play after the car crash, his legs were permanently damaged and had to be wrapped in support bandages every time he played. He was in constant pain. The US Open of those days required 36 holes on the final day. With those damaged legs he won 3 US Opens and tied for a 4th (on top of the pre-crash 1948 win). This was a superhuman achievement. You may be familiar with his Shell's match with Snead in 1964 when they were both 52. Hogan hit every fairway and every green. Gene Sarazen, who has seen a thing or two and isnt known for hyperbole, stated, "Ben, that is the finest round of golf I have ever seen".
That is strange that Thompson would say he wasn't revered. Hogan is obviously still hugely revered in the modern era. Maybe the MOST revered golfer of the 20th century precisely because he was such a quiet, enigmatic figure who achieved so much. And where are the follow up questions? the interviewer should have jumped all over him after that statement. Spot on about Tony Lema though.
Lema was a fine player and a tragic story, but it's a bit of a stretch for Thompson to single him out as one of the best he'd ever seen, considering Lema only won a single major.
Thompson didn’t like Hogan because Hogan was harsh on any international player that was as good as him. Rumours that it was Hogan who got Bobby Locke banned from the PGA Tour….and quite possibly Moe Norman as well
@stevepising yeah, spot on. and to say he didn't write anything? so five lessons, one the most important pieces of sporting literature in the 20th century didn't count as writing? lol
I believe what Peter Thomson is referring to is that whilst competing, Ben Hogan never communicated with his peers verbally or in writing, and was known as the wee Iceman among other nicknames. Thomson would surely know about the books “Five Lessons” & “Power Golf”. I reckon Peter is definitely one of the most underrated and respected golfers there’s ever been. You don’t win FIVE Open Championships by being lucky, and since the beginning of the 20th century, the only golfer to win the same Major for THREE consecutive years (The Open 1954/55/56).
“Links golf is real golf …I mean REAL GOLF as it was intended…American golf is just what it is …commercial…evolved you might say…..well Peter Thompson was the greatest link’s golfer that ever lived….that must be said and remembered” - Jack Nicklaus
I think Peter Thomson suffers from memory loss. Ben Hogan is probably the most revered golfer ever. Hogan also wrote arguebly the best selling golf instruction book🤣🤣
Thompson only spoke the truth - Hogan was a singular, driven, determined individual but not universally loved by his peers. Admired yes, respected definitely, but loved - not so much, and time has probably done him a favour....
@@kalaharisafari7648 I was going to respond to him until I read yours. Thank you. And Hogan and Byron Nelson worked for most of their youths as they were dirt poor, and didn't have a pro teaching them at 10 years old. They taught themselves. Then write the bible of golf and produce some of the best irons ever made.
@@jasonlancaster4357 No, you are saying that, but Thompson didnt say that at all. What he said was that Hogan "wasnt very eloquent" and "never said or wrote anything", that there's "no record", and thus he is "no longer revered." All of which is absurd. Thompson has some sort of personal animus.
“Peter Thompson goes largely unnoticed and it’s a real shame. He’s one of the greatest golfers ever in my book. Links golf is hard, it’s historical and it’s how golf is truly meant to be played. Well nobody was better than Peter at links golf. Not me, not Tiger, not even Tom. Peter has the greatest Open record in history” - Jack Nicklaus
@@saverioman Those that knew him well thought him a fine sincere warm person. But he could be short with people he didnt know well. All you have to do is listen to some of his lengthy interviews. Altho Thompson seems to think he is retarded and can't speak.
Hogan's not revered? Nicklaus said he's the best shot maker he ever saw, by far. Tiger said he and Moe Norman were the only golfers to ever own their swing. Gary Player said Hogan knew more about playing the game than anyone ever. Sounds to me like Hogan was the most revered golfer ever. Now that is some kind of disconnect.
Bob Rosberg said made more money betting on Bobby Locke to win than he did playing himself. Locke had a short game to almost match Tiger and Phil and Seve but he may have been the best putter to ever lace up his spikes.
Locke was the first foreigner to have success on the US tour. It was a strange story. He came last half of 1947 and won 5 tournaments. First half of 1948 he won 8 more, leading money-winner I believe. Then the USGA claimed he violated some contract and temporarily suspended him. He basically never came back except for an occasional tournament. Some said he was suspended out of jealousy at his success. Didnt win a US major but came very close several times. Won 4 British Opens. Gary Player claims Locke was a better player than Byron Nelson. I myself played with him a number of times when I was 19 y.o and he was in his early 50s. Fascinating eccentric loopy swing with an enormous high hook on every shot. To get an idea of what might have been --- Sam Snead went to South Africa in 1946 and played 16 exhibitions with Locke. Snead won 2, tied 2, and Locke won 12.
wtf are you on about.......all anyone is saying is that peter said hogan is not revered and he never wrote or said anything, which could not be further from the truth on all three accounts really.......it was maybe just a throw away line to fill the air, but it was pure garbage obviously, whether you love hogan or hate him
@giugnhgbvinierngvb89 Seve won 12 more Tttles after 1988 and was still contesting in Majors so didn't exactly disappear all that despite serios back problems
@@rymo66812 even Jack said Tiger was the superior player specific to the elements of the swing but yes Jack is regarded as the most significant champion....( Jack is my all time fav along with Lee Buck Trevino)
I am an admirer of Peter Thomson's, but he said a few odd things that puzzle me, as this clip illustrates. Hogan is not revered? He never wrote anything? Snead never missed the fairway from one year to the next? In a book I have he suggests that Locke was not the putter history proves he was. Damned if I can understand such utterances. Great golfer, Peter. Such a simple swing.
Very few professional golfer win one tournament,let alone over one hundred,including five opens, when you say not in his league at his best on links course he was unmatched,check out his open record,not Jack or Tiger get close to it.
@@dennisdobin8640 Four of his five Opens were before Americans started competing. They only started competing after 1960. Thompson won almost nothing in the US, no majors.
If Hogan, Snead, Nelson, and even the 10 best American golfers played in the British Open every year how many Opens would Thomson have won?? The fact that Ben Hogan played in the British Open only once and won it is an indication.
@@jonathanlynch8372 He wishes. Ben Hogan was 1 for 1 in the Open. Thompson 0 for 8 in the Masters and every other American major. Post World War 2 Sam Snead also went 1 for 1 at the Open. Could you imagine what would have happened to Thomson's record if Hogan, Snead, and even just the other top 5 American players went across the pond to play for the meager prize money the Open offered to pay that time?
@@jaredvaughan1665But they didn't travel and Thomson shot the lowest scores. If I wanted to belittle The Masters I could say that someone like Christy O'Connor Senior, the premier European golfer at the time, was invited to the Masters for over 20 years in the 60s/70s but never played because of the debillitating time and expense involved. Many europeans have won that major so logically, he could have won 20 times IF he chose to travel. Who is to say he wouldn't against a field of ex-champs and invitee's right? Does me believing that belittle all those Masters champions? Of course it doesn't. In essence, my (ridiculous) argument would amount to saying that during those pre-jet days, the winners were just those who could actually travel but they weren't worthy champions because their great peers didn't enter. Same as me suggesting that those Masters that Trevino snubbed are worthless because he wasn't playing. The same thing was done with Harrington winning two in 2008. People said they were somehow lessened because Tiger was out injured. You can only beat the field and the course. Same goes for Thomson's Open wins. He shot the lowest score in the five majors he won regardless of whatever giants of the game couldn't be bothered making the effort to travel.
@@jonathanlynch8372 Valid points. And Snead and Hogan wouldn't have gone 1 for 1 at the Open if they both went over together each of those times. Success is all relative. And vain. Ultimately the tournaments are far bigger than the winners themselves. In my mind the winner is not important. When I think of the Open I think of the high grass, and beautiful natural faraways. The winner is a foot note. I admire Peter Thompson more as a decent guy than a champion golfer. And I think had he played all the American majors and all the Americans played the British Open he likely would have won 5 majors. But just not all British Opens. It might have been a Masters, a PGA, and 3 British Opens, for example. And he did win the Senior PGA championship!
@@jonathanlynch8372 The fact is, when Americans went to Britain, they mostly won. No European won a US major until Jacklin in 1970. Pre-jet didnt stop Jones, Sarazen and Hagen from playing in Britain continuously through the 20s, during which time they dominated the British Open. When the professional tour developed (with money) in the 30s, they stopped going. But when Snead went in 1946, he won. When Hogan went in 1953, he won. When Palmer went in 1960, he won and started the American return to Britain in the 60s, which they dominated.
His first win was The Magic Valley Open, in my home town. He was an assistant in Elko. My old man took him in a Raffle and won a grand. Gave Tony 100. Lema almost cried. He would have won half of Jack`s Majors.
Concur with all you say tangles. I was privileged enough to interview this great man just recently for our up coming TV series to air in Australia. An absolute thrill to be able to sit next to the great man and have some if his time and insights. A thorough Gentleman with humility and class. An Australian legend.
Very well said Peter Thomson. It's a great thing when we can hear from someone who has direct and personal knowledge on the topic of great golfers, past and present. His point ring loud and clear.
"Hogan never said or WROTE anything? ... What??? ... "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons" and "Ben Hogan's Power Golf" are the most read golf books of all time!!!!!!!!!!
@@sas6561 Hi, I'm not sure why your reply is to me personally, but thanks anyway. I think Peter meant that Hogan never revealed anything about himself as a person in an autobiography or even an article, which was of course entirely a matter for him. His instruction books are, as you say, legendary!
As a boy Hogan witnessed his own Father commit suicide with a gun. A "miserable human being?" What horror have you lived through and carried around with you since you were a child? Anything close to that? Did you know the man? I doubt it. I'll bet you are simply parroting what you have heard or read from other people.
Mr Hogan was far from miserable he was just a very shy and private person ....also he had a heart of a lion very generous to a lot of people tbh but being the great man he was he didn't feel it was necessary to broadcast his private life say .......anyone who runs Mr Hogan down obviously doesn't know anything about the game also Mr Hogan himself
Hogan actually witnessed his own father's suicide at the age of 9. I am sure that had alot to do with Hogans personality. He was truly one of golf's greats.
He's undeniably on the short list of greatest players ever. . Thomson is not alone in pointing out Hogan's cold, prickly personality. Arnold Palmer clearly did not like Hogan, along with many others.
exactly right!
Ben Hogan - The Hawk - wasn't gonna cozy up to you and pat you on the back, he came up the hard, tough way. Sounds like Ben didn't smile at Peter Thompson, and old Pete felt it. Hogan could care less who liked him or not, and who can blame him in this tough life? Hogan clearly had a great swing, maybe the best ever - he forged himself, Thomson, actually had a great swing himself too, somewhat similar to Hogans... Thompson is actually the one who is sort of forgotten, even though he won, what 6 , British Opens ?? One comment by Thompson is odd, 'Hogan, never wrote anything' ?? Hogan wrote several classic instruction books from the 50's that are still read widely today.....
Hogan is not forgotten...to the contrary.
He won 5. Five Lessons still the best
Swings are not really similar at all.
ALL TRUE. Sadly this was a very thoughtless response from Thompson. Hogan is not forgotten, wrote extensively, was interviewed many times and his lack of eloquence, (which is also not true) is irrelevant, it isn't a personality contest. And despite winning 5 Open Championships Thompson isn't hailed by the dominating US media and is largely forgotten or rather ignored. On a side note, as a commentator in Australia Thompson was BRUTAL.
Hogan never wrote anything? Only THE book.....
So great to hear Peter Thomson talk. Brilliant, eloquent and underappreciated. Mr. Thomson you were a great champion and you are clearly also a fine gentleman. Thank you for posting this at UA-cam. My hat is off.
Hogan is the only guy since 1905 to win 3 US Opens in a row. 1948, 1950, 1951. In 1949 he was unable to play because HE GOT RUN OVER BY A BUS.
Very true & he is never given credit for that. If Nicklaus or Woods had done that you would always hear about it.
I have a lot of respect for Mr Thomson but I want to correct him on one statement he made saying that Hogan ...'never wrote anything....'
Higan was very steely and stonefaced but did in fact write one of the greatest books about golf called 'Five Lessons' and he is immortalized by just that one book besides his great career.
Yeah... Ben Hogan wrote two books. Both are still being published. And "Five Lessons" stands as the single best selling instruction book in golfing history.
Maybe you misunderstood what Mr.Thomson actually said.
@@gullybop1695 ...misunderstood?? Thompson said he was not an eloquent man. That Hogan is not revered today because he never spoke or wrote anything. What part is being misunderstood. He clearly does not like Hogan as a man. That's his opinion he is certainly entitled to it.
I cannot imagine anyone else who would agree with Mr. Thompson on this. In fact it's laughable that a golfer of Mr. Thompson stature would be so ignorant to make such a claim. What ignorance or maybe just prejudice.. Never the less he comes across as a buffoon to make such a claim.
Hogan today is still one of the most admired and REVERED golfers in history. Anyone thinking otherwise is an ignorant fool.
Five Lessons or The Modern Fundamentals was written by the great sportswriter Herbert Warren Wind, you might say that it was “as told by Ben Hogan” but Hogan didn’t write it. It would be very surprising if the earlier book, Power Golf (which I used to have as well as Five Lessons) was not ghosted and actually written by a professional writer. Very few golf books are written by the golfer (thankfully, nobody would read them if they were), e.g. Ken Bowden wrote many of the Jack Nicklaus books. Peter Thomson wrote as a journalist for decades and was the only top golfer who could have written a worthwhile golf book but he never did because he thought playing golf was too simple and didn’t require a whole book and he never got around to writing an autobiography.
Don’t forget “Power Golf”, many consider it even more informative to how Mr. Hogan thought than even “Lessons”. But yes, he’s the Gold Standard for the combination of explaining it and doing it. Based on all the interviews, it’s ridiculous to say he wasn’t eloquent enough to verbally convey his thoughts. No, on the course, he had nothing to say as that wasn’t the job at hand.
1:45...... thats clearly old, but he's got it wrong. If theres one god in golf it would have to be hogan..
Quite wrong about Hogan. There are a number of lengthy interviews right here on UA-cam, and he was a very thoughtful and sincere person, just as well-spoken as Thompson. So he didn’t talk on the golf course. Good for him.
Also, Thompson says "he never said anything, he never wrote anything, there's no record". Ridiculous! He wrote The Modern Fundamentals of Golf, an absolute classic to this very day. What did Peter Thompson write??
As far as Hogan "not being revered any more", this is only Thompson's jaundiced opinion. Not that of many others. Gary Player knew them all since the 50s through to today and states clearly Hogan was the greatest player he ever saw.
I read long go that when on the golf course Ben Hogan referred to himself as being “in the office”. This was where he was “at work”, so he did not like being interrupted by media, autograph seekers or any others. Possibly this gave rise to what was considered his “serious demeanour” ? Just a thought
Actions speak louder than words Mr George. Mr Hogan let the golf do the talking. The message may not have been eloquently delivered but, everyone understood what an ass whooping felt like when he left.
Hogan never said anything or wrote anything?? That's ridiculous. His book "Five Lessons" is probably the best-selling book of golf instruction of all time!
Most people who know something about golf don't really understand just how good Ben Hogan was. His career was interrupted twice. First by WW2 military service and then by the 1949 car accident which nearly took his life. Between 1941 and February 1949 he was the greatest player the world will ever see. In 1941 he finished top 2 16 times on the PGA tour & top 5 25 times while setting a new stroke average record of 70.5 which was an utterly amazing number for that technological time frame. In 1941 & '42 combined he finished top 2 in 25 of the 50 events he played. In '42 he scored two 271s to win both the N&S Open (at Pinehurst) & the Hale America National Open (substitute for the cancelled USGA Open and had local & sectional qualifying). He never played in all 4 modern majors in any year. Before the 1960s Americans rarely played in the British Open. The 4th American major at that time was the Western Open. In 1946 he won 13 times on tour including the PGA which was held at matchplay thru 1957, Western Open & the N&S Open. He finished top 5 in all 4 American majors in both 1941 & '46. In 1948 he won 10 times which is still the only time a player has won at least 10 in a year twice & he also won the US Open at 7000 yd Riviera with a record by 5 shots 276, the PGA & the Western Open with an event record 271. During the years 1946 to '48 5 different great players won at least 6 times on tour but each was topped by Hogan's total. Snead & Nelson won 6 each in '46 but Hogan won more (13) than them combined, Locke & Demaret won 6 in '47 but Hogan won 7 & in 1948 Mangrum won 7 but Hogan won 10. Those are the only non-war years in tour history that a player with at least 6 wins did not at least tie for the most wins. That indicates both the greatness of Hogan & how great his competition was. Between 1940 & 1947 he finished top 5 in 12 straight modern majors (next highest streak to this day is 7). However, his greatest achievement is his streak of finishing top 10 & under 290 in 12 consecutive US Open attempts (1941-1956). He did it on 12 different courses & won 5 times (I always include the 1942 Hale America National Open). The 2nd longest streak is STILL 4. To put this amazing feat into further perspective consider that in the 1970 US Open Nicklaus, Palmer & Player all failed to break 300!! Also remember that players were not allowed to clean the ball on the green until 1960. The more one learns about Ben Hogan & the history of the game Mr. Hogan separates himself further from all others who have ever played the game.
Just think how many British opens he could have won.
@@DeadlyKiss000
And yet Thompson says in this interview "he never wrote anything". Ridiculous!
Indeed.
When he did amazingly return to play after the car crash, his legs were permanently damaged and had to be wrapped in support bandages
every time he played. He was in constant pain. The US Open of those days required 36 holes on the final day. With those damaged legs he won 3 US Opens and tied for a 4th (on top of the pre-crash 1948 win). This was a superhuman achievement.
You may be familiar with his Shell's match with Snead in 1964 when they were both 52. Hogan hit every fairway and every green.
Gene Sarazen, who has seen a thing or two and isnt known for hyperbole, stated, "Ben, that is the finest round of golf I have ever seen".
@@tmo4330- He did win one, the 1953 Open at Carnoustie, the only Open he ever played in..
@@johnnyreb3542 And just think of how many he would have won if he played every year. Hogan was the best.
He's wrong about Hogan not writing anything. His short 5 Lessons is still the best
That is strange that Thompson would say he wasn't revered. Hogan is obviously still hugely revered in the modern era. Maybe the MOST revered golfer of the 20th century precisely because he was such a quiet, enigmatic figure who achieved so much. And where are the follow up questions? the interviewer should have jumped all over him after that statement.
Spot on about Tony Lema though.
Lema was a fine player and a tragic story, but it's a bit of a stretch for Thompson to single him out as one of the best he'd ever seen, considering Lema only won a single major.
Thompson didn’t like Hogan because Hogan was harsh on any international player that was as good as him. Rumours that it was Hogan who got Bobby Locke banned from the PGA Tour….and quite possibly Moe Norman as well
@stevepising yeah, spot on. and to say he didn't write anything? so five lessons, one the most important pieces of sporting literature in the 20th century didn't count as writing? lol
Sam snead never seemed to the credit he deserved,and what a swing
he's not revered and he never wrote anything LOL someone get pete to the hospital he's got alzheimers or something
I believe what Peter Thomson is referring to is that whilst competing, Ben Hogan never communicated with his peers verbally or in writing, and was known as the wee Iceman among other nicknames.
Thomson would surely know about the books “Five Lessons” & “Power Golf”.
I reckon Peter is definitely one of the most underrated and respected golfers there’s ever been. You don’t win FIVE Open Championships by being lucky, and since the beginning of the 20th century, the only golfer to win the same Major for THREE consecutive years (The Open 1954/55/56).
“Links golf is real golf …I mean REAL GOLF as it was intended…American golf is just what it is …commercial…evolved you might say…..well Peter Thompson was the greatest link’s golfer that ever lived….that must be said and remembered” - Jack Nicklaus
Thomo Ben Hogan did write 5 lessons so you cant say he NEVER wrote anything.....
I think Peter Thomson suffers from memory loss. Ben Hogan is probably the most revered golfer ever. Hogan also wrote arguebly the best selling golf instruction book🤣🤣
Thompson only spoke the truth - Hogan was a singular, driven, determined individual but not universally loved by his peers. Admired yes, respected definitely, but loved - not so much, and time has probably done him a favour....
@@jasonlancaster4357 do you even know what revered means?🤣🤣🤣
@@kalaharisafari7648 I was going to respond to him until I read yours. Thank you. And Hogan and Byron Nelson worked for most of their youths as they were dirt poor, and didn't have a pro teaching them at 10 years old. They taught themselves. Then write the bible of golf and produce some of the best irons ever made.
@@jasonlancaster4357
No, you are saying that, but Thompson didnt say that at all. What he said was that Hogan "wasnt very eloquent" and "never said or wrote anything", that there's "no record", and thus he is "no longer revered." All of which is absurd. Thompson has some sort of personal animus.
“Peter Thompson goes largely unnoticed and it’s a real shame. He’s one of the greatest golfers ever in my book. Links golf is hard, it’s historical and it’s how golf is truly meant to be played. Well nobody was better than Peter at links golf. Not me, not Tiger, not even Tom. Peter has the greatest Open record in history” - Jack Nicklaus
You could tell he didn't think much of Hogan the man.
For sure. Arnold Palmer appeared to feel the same. Hogan was an undeniably wondrous golfer, but deeply lacking in the personality department.
@@saverioman
Those that knew him well thought him a fine sincere warm person. But he could be short with people he didnt know well.
All you have to do is listen to some of his lengthy interviews. Altho Thompson seems to think he is retarded and can't speak.
I saw Peter Thomson at a seniors golf event at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in 1985.
Hogan's not revered? Nicklaus said he's the best shot maker he ever saw, by far. Tiger said he and Moe Norman were the only golfers to ever own their swing. Gary Player said Hogan knew more about playing the game than anyone ever. Sounds to me like Hogan was the most revered golfer ever. Now that is some kind of disconnect.
That was painful to watch. Just the Hogan comments, damn.
Actually I think Hogan spoke eloquently. And many people of Hogan said amongst his personal friend Hogan was great guy to hang out with.
Bob Rosberg said made more money betting on Bobby Locke to win than he did playing himself. Locke had a short game to almost match Tiger and Phil and Seve but he may have been the best putter to ever lace up his spikes.
Locke was the first foreigner to have success on the US tour. It was a strange story. He came last half of 1947 and won 5 tournaments.
First half of 1948 he won 8 more, leading money-winner I believe. Then the USGA claimed he violated some contract and temporarily suspended him. He basically never came back except for an occasional tournament. Some said he was suspended out of jealousy at his success. Didnt win a US major but came very close several times. Won 4 British Opens. Gary Player claims Locke was a better player than Byron Nelson.
I myself played with him a number of times when I was 19 y.o and he was in his early 50s. Fascinating eccentric loopy swing with an enormous high hook on every shot. To get an idea of what might have been --- Sam Snead went to South Africa in 1946 and played 16 exhibitions with Locke. Snead won 2, tied 2, and Locke won 12.
Where was the interviewer on followup questions?
Hogan "not revered"? "Never wrote anything"? What the hell?
Ken Venturi who played many times with Hogan and Nelson said Hogan was the best course strategist but Nelson the better ball striker..
gentleman of golf
Yes Peter he never wrote anything 😂😂
so hogan no ever wrote anything? thomson has dementia
im playing at Camden Lakeside tomorrow a course designed by Thomson...
Australian legend 🦘❤️🙏
My favorite great Aussie golfer.
Interesting observations by Peter.
wtf are you on about.......all anyone is saying is that peter said hogan is not revered and he never wrote or said anything, which could not be further from the truth on all three accounts really.......it was maybe just a throw away line to fill the air, but it was pure garbage obviously, whether you love hogan or hate him
All great golfers have a mean side. Good gamblers and a very cool side from my experience
Peter Toogood also ❤️🦘🙏
@giugnhgbvinierngvb89 Seve won 12 more Tttles after 1988 and was still contesting in Majors so didn't exactly disappear all that despite serios back problems
What a golf swing Mr. Thomson has,he received no credit what a shame.
Yeah love his swing
Great commentator and thoughtful speaker
Thank you great interview. Unless someone has told the truth about Sam Snead! My favorite player. I’ll have to look into the swing of Peter next
Wrong! I've got Hogan's best ever book on golf.
From my perspective, the greatest golfer of all-time is Mr Hogan, then Jack Nichlaus and Tiger Woods.
Actually the best golfer ever is Tiger Woods few would argue that. I suspect Jack and Ben are 2& 3....( Of course that’s my personal opinion)
Pebble Beach: I suspect you meant to preface your statement with the phrase “In my opinion....” Right?
Arthur Miller yes thanks for the correction
@@pebblebeach8517 jack had 50 top 5s in majors. Unbelievable, tiger hit cooler shots, but jack was always there
@@rymo66812 even Jack said Tiger was the superior player specific to the elements of the swing but yes Jack is regarded as the most significant champion....( Jack is my all time fav along with Lee Buck Trevino)
I am an admirer of Peter Thomson's, but he said a few odd things that puzzle me, as this clip illustrates. Hogan is not revered? He never wrote anything? Snead never missed the fairway from one year to the next? In a book I have he suggests that Locke was not the putter history proves he was. Damned if I can understand such utterances. Great golfer, Peter. Such a simple swing.
wow that's some hitting with that equipment
wow, that would have been something
Mr Thompson didnt care for Jack Ben or Tiger maybe they were just not in his league? Tiger's personna as a man isn't great.
Very few professional golfer win one tournament,let alone over one hundred,including five opens, when you say not in his league at his best on links course he was unmatched,check out his open record,not Jack or Tiger get close to it.
@@dennisdobin8640
Four of his five Opens were before Americans started competing. They only started competing after 1960.
Thompson won almost nothing in the US, no majors.
check out his champions tour record
@@afritimm
Agreed!
If Hogan, Snead, Nelson, and even the 10 best American golfers played in the British Open every year how many Opens would Thomson have won?? The fact that Ben Hogan played in the British Open only once and won it is an indication.
5.
@@jonathanlynch8372 He wishes. Ben Hogan was 1 for 1 in the Open. Thompson 0 for 8 in the Masters and every other American major. Post World War 2 Sam Snead also went 1 for 1 at the Open. Could you imagine what would have happened to Thomson's record if Hogan, Snead, and even just the other top 5 American players went across the pond to play for the meager prize money the Open offered to pay that time?
@@jaredvaughan1665But they didn't travel and Thomson shot the lowest scores. If I wanted to belittle The Masters I could say that someone like Christy O'Connor Senior, the premier European golfer at the time, was invited to the Masters for over 20 years in the 60s/70s but never played because of the debillitating time and expense involved. Many europeans have won that major so logically, he could have won 20 times IF he chose to travel. Who is to say he wouldn't against a field of ex-champs and invitee's right? Does me believing that belittle all those Masters champions? Of course it doesn't. In essence, my (ridiculous) argument would amount to saying that during those pre-jet days, the winners were just those who could actually travel but they weren't worthy champions because their great peers didn't enter. Same as me suggesting that those Masters that Trevino snubbed are worthless because he wasn't playing. The same thing was done with Harrington winning two in 2008. People said they were somehow lessened because Tiger was out injured. You can only beat the field and the course. Same goes for Thomson's Open wins. He shot the lowest score in the five majors he won regardless of whatever giants of the game couldn't be bothered making the effort to travel.
@@jonathanlynch8372 Valid points. And Snead and Hogan wouldn't have gone 1 for 1 at the Open if they both went over together each of those times. Success is all relative. And vain. Ultimately the tournaments are far bigger than the winners themselves. In my mind the winner is not important. When I think of the Open I think of the high grass, and beautiful natural faraways. The winner is a foot note. I admire Peter Thompson more as a decent guy than a champion golfer. And I think had he played all the American majors and all the Americans played the British Open he likely would have won 5 majors. But just not all British Opens. It might have been a Masters, a PGA, and 3 British Opens, for example. And he did win the Senior PGA championship!
@@jonathanlynch8372
The fact is, when Americans went to Britain, they mostly won.
No European won a US major until Jacklin in 1970.
Pre-jet didnt stop Jones, Sarazen and Hagen from playing in Britain continuously through the 20s, during which time they
dominated the British Open. When the professional tour developed (with money) in the 30s, they stopped going.
But when Snead went in 1946, he won. When Hogan went in 1953, he won. When Palmer went in 1960, he won and started the American return to Britain in the 60s, which they dominated.
:(
Champagne Tony Lema belongs in the Hall of Fame.
His first win was The Magic Valley Open, in my home town. He was an assistant in Elko. My old man took him in a Raffle and won a grand. Gave Tony 100. Lema almost cried. He would have won half of Jack`s Majors.
Great potential, but the fact is he only one a single major.
What about Byron Nelson?
Nelson stopped playing the tour years before Thompson started playing internationally.
Concur with all you say tangles. I was privileged enough to interview this great man just recently for our up coming TV series to air in Australia. An absolute thrill to be able to sit next to the great man and have some if his time and insights. A thorough Gentleman with humility and class.
An Australian legend.
Very well said Peter Thomson.
It's a great thing when we can hear from someone who has direct and personal knowledge on the topic of great golfers, past and present.
His point ring loud and clear.
Everything Peter says about golf is wonderfully fascinating. I wish he'd written an autobiography !
"Hogan never said or WROTE anything? ... What??? ... "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons" and "Ben Hogan's Power Golf" are the most read golf books of all time!!!!!!!!!!
@@sas6561 Hi, I'm not sure why your reply is to me personally, but thanks anyway.
I think Peter meant that Hogan never revealed anything about himself as a person in an autobiography or even an article, which was of course entirely a matter for him.
His instruction books are, as you say, legendary!
A shallow man. doesn't think about his words. not very bright.
ANOTHER FOOL . WHO KNOWS NOTHING.
one of the few players with the courage to say that Hogan was a miserable human being
whatever, Hogan is famous, this man obscure.
As a boy Hogan witnessed his own Father commit suicide with a gun. A "miserable human being?" What horror have you lived through and carried around with you since you were a child? Anything close to that? Did you know the man? I doubt it. I'll bet you are simply parroting what you have heard or read from other people.
TheNYgolfer
That’s a complete lie. Hogan was a wonderful man.
Mr Hogan was far from miserable he was just a very shy and private person ....also he had a heart of a lion very generous to a lot of people tbh but being the great man he was he didn't feel it was necessary to broadcast his private life say .......anyone who runs Mr Hogan down obviously doesn't know anything about the game also Mr Hogan himself