Legend cheered on by fellow legend

Abercrombie and Fitch, the New York retailer, provided thermal underwear when Hogan mentioned it could be cold in Scotland, even in July.

He arrived a week early to practice with the smaller British ball and learn the Angus course.

Hogan’s opening round of 73 at Carnoustie was followed by a 71, watched by Frank Sinatra who declared that “all America is rooting for Hogan”.

Ol’ Blue Eyes was performing two shows at Dundee’s Caird Hall and found time to support Hogan, who was making his first – and only – start at the Open.

Hogan had won the first two majors that season and Sinatra, having been bitten by the golf bug, was curious to see if Hogan could win the third leg.

Huge galleries followed his progress, his only other visit to Britain being for the 1956 Canada Cup at Wentworth.

A third round 70 was followed by a closing 68, watched by more than 15,000 spectators. Hogan’s final round total beat the course record by one shot and gave him a fourstroke win over Peter Thomson, Dai Rees, Antonio Cerda and Frank Stranahan.

He said: “During this entire tournament I have been so exhausted after each round that I have had to go to bed. “I feel good, but so very tired.” Hogan was given a ticker-tape parade through the streets of New York in an open car after his return from Carnoustie.

Hogan only played six tournaments in 1953, but he won five of them.

Not until Tiger Woods in 2000 would a player match his three major titles in the same year.

Hogan would never return to Scotland or play in the Open again.

The sixth hole on the Championship Course was officially renamed in 2003 as Hogan’s Alley by 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie.