Longtime sportscaster Jimmy Roberts has interviewed or spent time with just about every big name in golf, though he’ll tell you there’s one person he wishes he’d had the chance to meet or work with, but never did: Ben Hogan.
Hogan, who died in 1997, was a nine-time major champion and remains one of the game’s ultimate legends. He also won 64 PGA Tour events, and his Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons it is still consumed by golf enthusiasts today.
Roberts was this week’s guest Subpar podcastwhere he discussed his career, Arnold Palmer, mid-air mistakes and more. He brought up Hogan when asked which person he didn’t work with but would have loved to if he had the chance. Hogan was the easy answer, he said, not only because of his skills and accomplishments, but also because of his quiet personality and small inner circle, which made Roberts even more curious about him.
“He must have been a fascinating boy,” said Robert. “He’s not the greatest player of all time, depending on who you are or what you believe. It’s got to be either Nicklaus or Woods or maybe Bobby Jones, but I’ll tell you what the hell I want, as far as being a ball-striker. that.”
Roberts also told one of his favorite Hogan stories, which he wasn’t in attendance for but is well-known in golf circles. Playing the par-3 12th during a practice round at Augusta National with Claude Harmon one year, Hogan hit his tee shot to about 5 feet. Harmon followed with an ace.
“They’re walking to the green,” Roberts said, “and Hogan turns to him and says, ‘Claude, did you see my shot? It’s pretty good, right?” (The hole in one) wasn’t on his radar.”
You can listen to the full interview hereor you can watch it at to YouTube below.
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