Christy O'Connor Jr
Name:
Christy O'Connor Jr.Also known as:
JuniorCountry:
IrelandLived:
[1948-2016]. Born on Aug 19, 1948 in Knocknacarra, Co. Galway. Died on Jan 6, 2016 in Tenerife, Canary Islands, aged 67.Original/Home Club:
Galway GC, Galway.Occupation:
Professional golfer; golf course designer.Turned Pro:
1967Ryder Cup player (1975, 1989). Total professional wins (17), including European Tour (4), European Snr Tour (2) and Champions Tour (2).
Christy O'Connor Jr has designed many golf courses, particularly in Ireland. His work includes (but is not limited to): Concra Wood (2009, with his uncle Christy O'Connor); Dingle - CeannSibeal (with Eddie Hackett); Esker Hills (1996); Fota Island (1993, with Peter McEvoy); Galway Bay (1993); Glasson (1993); Knightsbrook (2006); O'Connor Jr course, Oceanico Golf, Portugal (2008); Palmerston House (2005); Rathsallagh (1996, with Peter McEvoy); Roganstown (2004).
Often referred to as simply "Junior", Christy O'Connor Jr was the nephew of another Irish golfing legend Christy O'Connor. O'Connor Jr enjoyed a successful professional career on the European and European Senior tours, while also pursuing his business as a golf course designer. He was perhaps best remembered for his win over Fred Couples in the 1989 Ryder Cup at The Belfry. On the final hole he drilled a stunning 2-iron to just four feet from the hole, knocked in the putt and claimed a memorable 1-up win over the American.
Europe
MasterCard
Played as the Senior British Open presented by MasterCard (14th) (July 27-30). Second-placed John Bland (RSA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Christy O'Connor Jr (Ire), who recorded the second of his two wins on the European Snr Tour. [Royal County Down GC, Newcastle, Co. Down, N. Ireland].
America
State Farm
Played as the State Farm Senior Classic (July 2-4). Second-placed Bruce Fleisher (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time Snr PGA Tour winner O'Connor Jnr (Ire). [Hobbit's Glen GC, Columbia, Maryland].
Europe
x
Played as the Senior British Open (13th) (July 22-25). Second-placed John Bland (RSA) finished 3 shots behind first-time European Snr Tour winner Christy O'Connor Jr (Ire). [Dunluce Links, Royal Portrush GC, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland].
America
Foremost Ins.
Played as the Foremost Insurance Championship (Aug 13-15). Second-placed George Archer (USA), John Jacobs (USA) and Jim Thorpe (USA) finished 4 shots behind O'Connor Jr (Ire), who recorded the second of his two Snr PGA Tour wins. [Egypt Valley CC, Ada, nr Grand Rapids, Michigan].
Europe
Dunhill
Played as the Dunhill British Masters (May 28-31). O'Connor Jr (Ire) beat Tony Johnstone (Zim) with a birdie at the first playoff hole, to record the last of his four European Tour wins. [Duke's course, Woburn GC, nr Milton Keynes, Bucks].
Africa
555
Played as the 555 Kenya Open (Eurpn Challenge Tr event). Second-placed Chris Platts (Eng) finished 2 shots behind O'Connor Jr (Ire). [Muthaiga GC, Nairobi, Kenya].
Europe
Jersey European Airways
Played as the Jersey European Airways Open (April 6-9). Christy O'Connor Jr (Ire) beat Denis Durnian (Eng) with a par at the first playoff hole. [La Moye GC, St Brelade, Jersey, Channel Islands].
Europe
Martini
Played as the Martini International (June 11-14). Christy O'Connor Jr (Ire) and Ian Stanley (Aus) finished in a tie for first place. Bob Shearer (Aus) and Guy Hunt (Eng) finished 1 shot further back in joint third place. This was the first of O'Connor's four European Tour wins. [Royal North Devon GC, Westward Ho!, Bideford, Devon].
Europe
Carroll & Co.
Played as Carroll's Irish Open (the first Irish Open since 1953; now with P.J. Carroll & Co. as title sponsor). Second-placed Harry Bannerman (Scot) finished 1 shot behind O'Connor Jr (Ire). [Woodbrook GC, nr Bray, Co. Wicklow].
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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