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].
Tournaments:
PGA Championship: the year’s second men’s major championship is hosted by Southern Hills CC, Tulsa, Oklahoma, amidst doubt as to whether reigning champion Phil Mickelson will defend his title (May 19-22).
Soudal Open: Belgium’s return to European Tour golf sees 36-hole Rinkven International GC host the Soudal Open, the country’s national open championship (May 12-15).
Who's Who:
Scottie Scheffler: bags the 2022 Masters Tournament title, and with it a fourth win in six starts on the PGA Tour and his first major championship victory.
Stephen Dodd: took the European Senior Tour’s 2021 Order of Merit honours following the abandonment due to rain of the season’s final event, the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius (April 1-3, 2022).
Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Courses in Europe. From France to Spain to the Netherlands and Norway, the Golf World Top 100 panel reveals the places you have to play (published 20 October 2021).
New 27-hole golf complex to be built in southern Belgium
A new golf complex in southern Belgium, close to the border with Luxembourg, will start construction in June 2021.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club "makes its tournament debut with the hosting of the Italian Open on the European Tour" by Richard Humphreys
Gamble Sands opens short course:
David McLay Kidd’s 14-hole QuickSands short course has opened for play at Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington.
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