The Inspiring Story of Ben Hogan's Amazing Comeback and Victory at the 1950 U.S. Open. By David Barrett. It took more than nine months of rehabilitation before Ben Hogan returned to the golf range for practice after a near-fatal automobile crash in February 1949 and emergency surgery two weeks later due to the development of blood clots to his leg. Hogan remained in the hospital until April and didn't even touch a club until August. Miracle at Merion tells the stirring story of Hogan's triumph over adversity, his stunning return to competition at the Los Angeles Open and finally, the 1950 U.S. Open triumph at Merion Golf Club that returned him to the pinnacle of the game.