Ryder Cup hero Christy O’Connor Jr. has died at 67
Irish golfer Christy O’Connor Jr., considered the European hero of the 1989 Ryder Cup, died on Tuesday in Spain. He was 67.
O’Connor is probably best remembered for the 2-iron he hit to just a few feet at The Belfry against Fred Couples in a Sunday singles match. The resulting point allowed Europe to retain the Ryder Cup.
He was also a member of the 1975 Great Britain & Ireland Ryder Cup team, four years before the Ryder Cup expanded to include continental Europe in the biennial matches.
Known for wearing his driving-style hat on the course, O’Connor turned pro in 1967, four years before the advent of the modern European Tour, on which he won four times, including for the last time in 1992.
O’Connor was a mainstay at the Open Championship from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, notching three top-10 finishes, including a career best tie for third in 1985. He also won consecutive Senior British Opens in 1999 and 2000, as well two more wins on the Champions Tour.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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