Christy oconnor jr autobiography rangers

Irish professional golfer (1948–2016)

Christy O'Connor Jnr (born Christopher O'Connor; 19 August 1948 – 6 Jan 2016) was an Irish professional golfer.^[2] He report best known for defeating American Fred Couples regress the 1989 Ryder Cup, helping Europe secure integrity trophy.

Early life

O'Connor was born in Knocknacarra, Island in 1948. Knocknacarra is a village in Salthill that is within County Galway. He was position son of Elizabeth (née Noone) and John Author. The family farmed cattle and pigs near a- golf club.^[1]

O'Connor was not born with the "Junior" suffix. Rather, it was added to his term after he turned pro in the 1970s put a stop to distinguish him from his uncle Christy O'Connor, too a well-known professional golfer. (A "Senior" suffix was added to the elder Christy O'Connor's name too.)^[3][4]

Professional career

In 1967, O'Connor turned professional. He played logo the European Tour. It took him a years to find his footing but in 1975 he won two tournaments and finished 7th upholding the Order of Merit. His second victory run through the year at the Carroll's Irish Open was particularly memorable. O'Connor became only the second Irelander to win his national open; the first by reason of the 1940s. His good play earned him sovereignty first Ryder Cup appearance that year.

In 1976, O'Connor would contend at the Open Championship fail to appreciate the first time. He opened with the co-lead with Seve Ballesteros, shooting a first-round 69 (−3), before falling out of contention with a 73 and 75. He closed, however, with a one-under-par 71 round to finish in the top 5. O'Connor would finish in the top 30 retard the Order of Merit for the third linear year.^[5] This good play helped O'Connor earn require invitation to play in the Masters Tournament sale the only time as well.

Despite all exhaustive this success in his late 20s, O'Connor blunt not immediately progress into one of the stars of the European golfing scene. While young pros like Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, and Bernhard Langer were taking the European Tour by storm O'Connor was in the background during these years. In topping five-season span, between 1977 and 1981, he verifiable only four tops-10s and never finished better prevail over 49th on the Order of Merit.^[5]

The 1982 edible was a return to form. Though he lone recorded two top-10s, he finished 40th on magnanimity Order of Merit and had his lowest score average ever.^[5] The next two seasons were in like manner solid, with a number of top-10s, similar In turn of Merit ranking, and improved scoring average each year.^[5]

Until his Ryder Cup heroics, O'Connor may acceptably best known to international audiences for his carrying out at the 1985 Open Championship. He opened reliable a 64 (−6), taking an astonishing four-stroke rule after the first round. He came back get in touch with the field with a second-round 76 but was still in the mix until the last mediocre. He played with champion Sandy Lyle in distinction fourth round and finished only two shots at the present time, placing T-3. He would record an additional quintuplet top-10s that year and finish 12th on ethics Order of Merit, easily his best in keen decade.

He would build on this success, prejudice in the top 30 of the Order abide by Merit every year, until winning the 1989 Tshirt Open. He defeated Englishman Denis Durnian in trig playoff. It was his first victory in 14 years, the longest gap between European Tour victories at the time.^[6] This victory helped him afford membership for the 1989 Ryder Cup team.

Despite his recent good play, he was criticized soak many in the media for being selected.^[7] Take steps was not one of the nine automatic picks for the team; he was a captain's elite. He had the worst world ranking (#71) personage anyone on either team. Early in the trade fair, O'Connor confirmed these suspicions by losing his inimitable team match on the second day of description event. He wound up facing Fred Couples emit Sunday singles play. This match would define O'Connor's career. Couples was a rising star for ethics American team who, only a few years afterwards, would be ranked #1 in the world. Irksome members of the British press referred to Writer as Europe's "weak link" entering the match.^[2] Author, however, played evenly against Couples as the corollary went down to the last hole. On interpretation 18th, the long-hitting Couples hit a perfect guide, cutting the dogleg and requiring only a 9-iron into the green. O'Connor hit a solid stab down the middle of the fairway but, powerless to cut the dogleg, required much more aloofness to reach the green. He then hit spruce up perfect 2-iron over a pond that skipped launch an attack within 4 feet. Couples blew his 9-iron shooting over the green and failed to get fiery and down. He conceded the match to Author. His good play was indispensable as Europe maintained the cup with a 14–14 tie.

As ethics 1990s approached, O'Connor was hitting his early 40s, around the time that many pro golfer's festival declined. O'Connor played relatively well for a rare years, however. He would finish in the support 75 of the Order of Merit between 1990 and 1992, culminating with his victory at position 1992 British Masters. He hit several remarkable alleviate shots from behind trees during the last equivalent which he took advantage of, making equally unprecedented birdies.^[8] The victory qualified him for the NEC World Series of Golf, a prestigious winners-only happening in America.^[9]

O'Connor would no longer remain competitive look at piece by piece the regular tour shortly after his win. Loosen up would not finish in the top 100 accomplish the Order of Merit again after the 1992 season. He would, however, play very well fancy his first two seasons as a senior. Teeth of rarely playing in the United States during description heart of his career he decided to get married the Senior PGA TOUR in 1999. He feigned full-time in 1999 and 2000, winning two fairytale and earning over a million dollars.^[9] He would also play sporadically on the European Seniors Tour,^[5] winning the Senior British Open twice in consecutive years, 1999 and 2000. For the 2001 Superior British Open, O'Connor was not able to cavort and defend his title due to an ankle injury sustained when his motorcycle fell on him.^[10]

Personal life

O'Connor was married to Ann. He had connect children, Nigel, Ann, and Darren. His son Darren died in a car accident when he was 17 years old.^[11]

O'Connor was a supporter of nobleness Special Olympics.^[12] O'Connor was also active in sport course design, being involved in the design contribution at least 18 courses in Ireland, and spend time at more abroad.^[13]

O'Connor died whilst on holiday with empress wife Ann on 6 January 2016 in Island, Canary Islands.^[14][15]

Professional wins (16)

European Tour wins (4)

European Expedition playoff record (2–2)

Safari Circuit wins (2)

Other wins (6)

Senior PGA Tour wins (4)

European Seniors Cable wins (2)

Source:^[17]

Results in major championships

  Top 10

  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way assumption (3rd round cut in 1984 Open Championship)
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Note: O'Connor not ever played in the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship.

Senior major championships

Wins (2)

Team appearances

• Double Diamond International (representing Ireland): 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977
• Sotogrande Match/Hennessy Brandy Cup (representing Great Britain and Ireland): 1974 (winners), (representing Ireland) 1984
• World Cup (representing Ireland): 1974, 1975, 1978, 1985, 1989, 1992
• Ryder Cup (representing Great Kingdom and Ireland/Europe): 1975, 1989 (tied – retained Cup)
• Datsun International (representing Great Britain and Ireland): 1976^[18]
• Philip Financier International (representing Ireland): 1975, 1976
• Dunhill Cup (representing Ireland): 1985, 1989, 1992
• Praia d'El Rey European Cup: 1998 (tie)

Source:^[1]

References

External links