While I agree that Hogan was an impressive man, I disagree with evaluating a man's character based on his appearance in a series of photographs. Hogan was photogenic, and his strong character merely a coincidence.
If you would like to substantiate your understanding and appreciation of Hogan the man, you should pick up a copy of James Dodson's excellent biography of Hogan, Ben Hogan: An American Life. You'll gain valuable insight into what exactly shaped that steely resolve and no-nonsense outlook on life.
If no modern players withstand comparison to Hogan, I say all the better. Some of the events that collectively influenced his character were terrible. Everyone knows about the car crash, but did you know that Chester Hogan, Ben's father, committed suicide when Ben was nine years old? Did you know that in all likelihood, Ben witnessed his father's suicide? Dodson believes that Chester Hogan's suicide was the primary formative event in Hogan's life, playing the lead part in creating the man many mistakenly perceived as cold and aloof.
There are some genuine class acts on tour today, but I wouldn't want any of them to be quite like Hogan because that would probably entail them enduring some kind of deeply traumatizing event and then having to carry that baggage to the grave.
Anyways, the Hawk was certainly unique. Definitely pick up that book, you'll really enjoy it.
