HERE'S A FAVORITE PICTURE of Jack Fleck (1921-2014), who I wrote about in my 2012 book THE LONGEST SHOT.
This is moments before the start of the 18-hole playoff with four-time U.S. Open champion Ben Hogan. During warm-up, Jack liked to hit a few shots with the short and long clubs, focusing on tempo.
One of the most remarkable things Jack told me in our seven-year relationship (that became a friendship) was that he wasn't afraid of playing Ben Hogan, head to head. I asked him about this on numerous occasions. If anything, it was an honor for Jack to face Hogan, because Hogan was his idol.