Galway golfing legend Christy O’Connor Snr has passed away at the age of 91.
He passed away in the Mater Hospital, Dublin in the early hours of this morning.
His nephew, Christy O’Connor Jnr, passed away last January.
Born in Knocknacarra on December 21, 1924, Christy Snr’s achievements have stood the test of time as he blazed a trail through the world of professional golf during the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
It was on his local course of Galway that O’Connor developed the classic swing which helped him win a staggering 44 tournaments, including the prestigious British Masters twice, the John Player Classic in 1970, and the News of the World Match Play in 1957.
The first golfer ever to win a five-figure sum in Europe, O’Connor played in every Ryder Cup from 1955 to 1973, setting a record of 10 appearances in the event which stood until surpassed by Nick Faldo in 1997.
In 1958, O’Connor teamed up with Harry Bradshaw to win the then labelled Canada Cup (World Cup) in Mexico, while he was also Irish professional champion on 10 occasions, including in 1978 when he was aged 53.
Subsequently, he became the leading ‘senior’ player of his era, winning the PGA Seniors Championship six times and the World Senior Championship in both 1976 and ’77.
On November 2, 2009, O’Connor received one of the highest honours in the sport when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida.
Last year, he was voted ‘Greatest Living Sporting Legend’ at the County Galway Sport Stars Awards.
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