Golfer
Born: August 19, 1948;
Died: January 6, 2016
CHRISTY O'Connor Jnr, who has died suddenly aged 67, was a popular golfer who helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in 1989 when, as the underdog against the American Fred Couples, he fired a stunning shot with his two iron to within a few feet of the hole.
The win was undoubtedly the highpoint of his career, although the Irishman was at the forefront of the PGA European Tour for over two decades. The game was also part of his family – his uncle, Christy O’Connor Snr, was a professional golfer and won almost 40 regular and senior tournaments as well as playing in the Ryder Cup 10 times.
More recently, O'Connor Jnr had specialised in designing golf courses in Europe and around the world but he was still considered an inspiration for younger players and had an impressive list of career successes to his name, including two Ryder Cup appearances, 17 professional tournament wins, four wins on the European tour and two British Open Senior titles.
He first took up the game at Galway Golf Club near his home in Knocknacarra and followed his uncle by turning professional in 1967. His breakthrough season was eight years later on the European Tour when his tied victory with Ian Stanley in the Martini International and Irish Open win secured his Ryder Cup place.
O’Connor did experience a period of struggle in the late 1970s, but recovered in the 80s and finished in a share of third place in the 1985 Open. He then went on to represent his country on several occasions, including the World Cup, the Alfred Dunhill Cup, the Double Diamond, the Hennessey Cup and the Ryder Cup.
However, his win at the Ryder Cup at the Belfry in 1989 was his most memorable victory. The Irishman had been controversially omitted from the Ryder Cup team in 1985 after narrowly missing out on automatic selection, but four years later the European captain Tony Jacklin selected him as one of his wild cards.
The skipper’s decision was soon vindicated, although he went into the match as the underdog against Fred Couples, a future Masters champion and world number one. Indeed, on the morning of the game, O’Connor read a newspaper article which pretty much wrote off his chances and shook his confidence.
In the end, though, O’Connor held his nerve and his victory over Couples helped ensure the contest finished 14-14, with the holders Europe therefore retaining the trophy.
Speaking in 2010 about his victory, O'Connor revealed Tony Jacklin had been one of the few people to have faith in one of his three wild card selections.
"It was the greatest and most emotional moment of my professional life," he recalled. "I'd felt terrible at breakfast that morning because of the article writing me off in one of the Sunday newspapers.
"I felt the pressure it put on me was too much. Tony Jacklin, the captain, was brilliant on the final hole. He said on the 18th tee that if I put the pressure on, Fred wouldn't be able to take it.
"Even though I was miles behind him after the tee shots, Jacko didn't lose faith. 'Put it on the green, I've a feeling that something will happen,' he said.
"Well, everyone knows that I played the shot of my life, a two iron from 235 yards that finished four foot from the hole. I guess you could say I did put it on the green and something did happen. I remember looking up to the sky with my arms outstretched and tears ran down my face. It was unforgettable."
He joined the European Seniors Tour in 1998 and the US Senior Tour in 1999, claiming his first title at the State Farm Senior Classic near Baltimore. He then returned to the North of Ireland and won his first major title, the Senior British Open, at Royal Portrush. He won in the US for a second time in August of 1999 at the Foremost Insurance Championship near Grand Rapids.
In 2000 he returned to Northern Ireland to defend his Senior British Open title at Royal County Down. He became only the second player to defend the tour’s major championship when he won the event by two strokes.
He was a supporter of Special Olympics and the Irish branch of the organisation described him as one of Ireland's greatest ever talents and a dedicated patron. The Golf Union of Ireland said he was a pioneer of professional Irish golfers and an ambassador for the game.
O’Connor is survived by his wife Ann, son Nigel and daughter Aine. His son Darren died aged 17 in a car crash.
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