Irish golfer Christy O’Connor Jr dies in Tenerife

ALTHOUGH never as successful as his golfing uncle of the same name, Christy O’Connor Jr. was a well-known Irish golfer who died in his sleep whilst on holiday in Tenerife at the age of 67 on January 6.

He won a number of European and British championships but had never reached the same heights as contemporaries such as Tony Jacklin who was initially criticised for picking him for the 1989 Ryder Cup competition.

It was in that match that he made a startling shot of 229 yards which ended up just over three feet from the hole and which helped to clinch the match for Europe in a 14-14 draw and left him holding his arms up to the sky and in tears.

He was later very much involved in the design of golf courses and leaves behind his wife Ann, a son and daughter.