Ryder Cup legend Christy O’Connor Senior died peacefully in hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning, aged 91.
During a career spanning four decades, the Knocknacarra, Co Galway native was a dominant force, playing on ten consecutive Ryder Cup teams, from 1955 to 1973 – a record later bettered by Sir Nick Faldo.
His extensive list of victories includes two British Masters wins, in 1956 and 1959, and six PGA Seniors Championship titles between 1976 and 1983. In 1970, he won the John Player Classic, which at the time was the most lucrative event in golf with a £25,000 first prize, and in 2009 he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in recognition of his wonderful achievements.
His death comes four months after that of his nephew, Christy O’Connor Jnr, who was also one of golf’s greats. Christy Jnr died suddenly while on holiday in Tenerife, aged 67.
Richard Hills, Ryder Cup Director, said: “Today we have lost not only one of the greatest Ryder Cup players the game has even seen, but an incredible man.
“My abiding memory of Christy is phoning him with George O’Grady to break the news that he’d been elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009, and he wouldn’t believe us. He said he’d only believe it if he saw it in writing, so I was dispatched to Royal Dublin to present him with a letter. As he read it, his face broke into a huge grin and he gave me a massive bear hug.
“The other thing that sticks out for me is how Seve used to watch him. When Seve, who as we all know was a genius of a player, first came out on Tour in 1976, he would seek out Christy to watch him practise and watch his hands. Christy was built like a bull but he had incredible hands for golf.
“Christy did so much for the game of golf and his legacy will long live on. After the tragic, sudden death of his nephew, Christy O’Connor Jnr, in January, golf has lost two of its greatest men.
“On behalf of everyone at the European Tour, our condolences go to the O’Connor family.”
David Williams, Chairman of the European Tour, said: "The world of golf is diminished today as we mourn the sad death of one its greats. Our deepest sympathy to Christy's family from all of us at the European Tour."
Darren Clarke, 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain, said: "It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Christy O'Connor Snr.
"Christy was in many ways the father of Irish golf and his death, so soon after that of his nephew Christy Jnr, means that Ireland has lost two Ryder Cup legends in the space of five months.
"Christy Snr was a golf icon and a wonderful person as well. He did so much for the game he graced for many years while the Ryder Cup to some extent is what it is today because of his passion for it.
"Irish golf in particular and golf in general has lost one of its greatest heroes."
Full obituary to follow.
