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The Open Question

Ben Hogan and Golf's Most Enduring Controversy
By Peter May
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Brief Description
Golfing legend Ben Hogan went to his grave believing he had won a record five US Open titles. The USGA says otherwise, and the controversy has endured for over 75 years. In 1942, the United States Golf Association (USGA) cancelled its four golf tournaments for the... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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This book provides the first in-depth look at the controversial Hale-America National Open, won by Ben Hogan in 1942 against the backdrop of the wartime home front. Peter May champions Hogan’s claim that it should have counted as an official US Open, which would have given him a record five US Open titles.

This book provides the first in-depth look at the controversial Hale-America National Open, won by Ben Hogan in 1942 against the backdrop of the wartime home front. Peter May champions Hogan’s claim that it should have counted as an official US Open, which would have given him a record five US Open titles.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Golfing legend Ben Hogan went to his grave believing he had won a record five US Open titles. The USGA says otherwise, and the controversy has endured for over 75 years.

In 1942, the United States Golf Association (USGA) cancelled its four golf tournaments for the duration of World War II. But then it did something different in only that year—it sponsored the Hale-America National Open on the same weekend as the cancelled US Open. The great Ben Hogan won that tournament and went to his grave believing he had therefore won a record five US Open titles.

In The Open Question, Peter May turns his attention to this controversial, colourful Hale-America National Open of 1942. While providing an in-depth look at the tournament itself, May champions Hogan’s claim to five US Open titles and debunks some questionable assertions that the tournament was not worthy of a US Open. Set against the backdrop of World War II, May also tells the stories of other professional golfers in the tournament and the impact of the war on all their lives.

The USGA has never recognised the Hale-America Tournament as an official US Open and remains firm in its stance. It was a decision that bothered Ben Hogan for the rest of his life. The Open Question shows how dominant Ben Hogan was against some of the biggest names in golf, and reveals why he deserves to be recognised as a five-time US Open winner.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781538199091

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 August 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield

Illustration: 20 b/w photos

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 226.0mm

Weight: 360g

Pages: 224

Collections

Biography & Memoir Golf Non-Fiction Peter May Sports Sports Biographies

About the Author

Peter May has spent the last four decades covering sports for the Boston Globe, the New York Times, ESPN, the Hartford Courant, and United Press International. He is the author of five books, most recently Changing the Course: How Charlie Sifford and Stanley Mosk Integrated the PGA (2024).

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