Fleck, who beat Hogan, defends him

SAN FRANCISCO -- Fifty-seven years later, Jack Fleck remembers plenty about his stunning win in the U.S. Open, especially the character of the man he beat. "Ben Hogan was my idol since caddie days," said the 91-year-old former champion, who was back Tuesday at the Olympic Club, site of his greatest moment.

Fleck was an obscure first-year tour pro when he upset Hogan, one of golf's legends.

"People said I out-Hoganed Hogan," he said of the icon who never was known for his warmth. Tuesday, Fleck was Hogan's biggest defender. "He was a fabulous, fabulous man," the 1955 champion said. "He treated me as if I was a long-lost son."

Maybe Fleck might not be known as a one-shot wonder if his putter had been just a little better in the 1960 Open at Cherry Hills. Had he putted half as well as he had in 1955, Fleck said, "Mr. Palmer would not have won that tournament."

Casper deftly turned aside a question about never having gotten his due for having won 52 PGA Tour events. But one of his admirers stuck up for him. Tiger Woods, who exchanged a big hug with Casper, said this when asked about Casper having scored an upset over Palmer: "He won 50-plus events, three major championships, that's not that big an upset."