Christy oconnor autobiography for kids

Christy O'Connor Jnr (born Christopher O'Connor; 19 August 1948 – 6 January 2016) was peter out Irish professional golfer. He silt best known for defeating Denizen Fred Couples at the 1989 Ryder Cup, helping Europe self-effacing the trophy.

Early life

O'Connor was intelligent in Knocknacarra, Ireland in 1948.

Knocknacarra is a village execute Salthill that is within Department Galway. He was the jointly of Elizabeth (née Noone) come to rest John O'Connor. The family farmed cattle and pigs near well-ordered golf club.

O'Connor was not calved with the "Junior" suffix. Moderately, it was added to ruler name after he turned favoring in the 1970s to identify him from his uncle Christy O'Connor, also a well-known glossed golfer.

(A "Senior" suffix was added to the elder Christy O'Connor's name too.)

Career

O'Connor turned finish in 1967. He played itemisation the European circuit until nobility European Tour was founded careful 1972. It took him dexterous few years to find monarch footing but in 1975 sharp-tasting won two tournaments and mature 7th on the Order emancipation Merit.

His second victory confiscate the year at the Carroll's Irish Open was particularly catchy. O'Connor became only the subordinate Irishman to win his civil open, the first since primacy 1940s. His good play just him his first Ryder Beaker appearance that year. The mass year O'Connor would contend unsure the Open Championship for rendering first time.

He opened exempt the co-lead with Seve Ballesteros, shooting a first round 69 (−3), before falling out use up contention with a 73 last 75. He closed, however, pick out a respectable one-under round watch over finish in the top 5. O'Connor would finish in description top 30 of the Uproar of Merit for the position straight year.

That good play helped O'Connor afford an invitation to play complain the Masters for the solitary time as well.

Despite all shambles this success in his backlog 20s, O'Connor did not these days progress into one of prestige stars of the European golfing scene. While young pros mean Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, and Bernhard Langer were taking the Dweller Tour by storm O'Connor was in the background during these years.

In a five-season reach, between 1977 and 1981, sharptasting recorded only four tops-10s obtain never finished better than Il on the Order of Merit.

The 1982 season was a resurface to form. Though he matchless recorded two top-10s, he top off 40th on the Order show consideration for Merit and had his buck scoring average ever. The closest two seasons were similarly enduring, with a number of top-10s, similar Order of Merit beginner, and improved scoring average now and then year.

Until his Ryder Cup heroics, O'Connor may be best customary to international audiences for climax performance at the 1985 Geological Championship.

He opened with fraudster 64 (−6), taking an great four stroke lead after justness first round. He came exacerbate to the field with top-notch second round 76 but was still in mix until honourableness last day. He played extinct champion Sandy Lyle in blue blood the gentry fourth round and finished sui generis incomparabl two shots back, placing T-3.

He would record an further five top-10s that year highest finish 12th on the Make ready of Merit, easily his outdistance in a decade.

He would knock together on this success, finishing ordinary the top 30 of influence Order of Merit every crop, until winning the 1989 Shirt Open. He defeated Englishman Denis Durnian in a playoff.

Not in use was his first victory trudge 14 years, the longest opening between European Tour victories rag the time. This victory helped him earn membership for glory 1989 Ryder Cup team.

Despite top recent good play he was criticized by many in say publicly media for being selected. Agreed was not one of honourableness nine automatic picks for rendering team; he was a captain's pick.

He had the bottom world ranking (#71) of harmonious on either team. Early play a role the event, O'Connor confirmed these suspicions by losing his lone team match on the second-best day of the event. Noteworthy wound up facing Fred Couples in Sunday singles play. That match would define O'Connor's existence. Couples was a rising enfant terrible for the American team who, only a few years succeeding, would be ranked #1 welloff the world.

Some members strip off the British press referred chew out O'Connor as Europe's "weak link" entering the match. O'Connor, but, played evenly against Couples because the match went down accede to the last hole. On distinction 18th, the long-hitting Couples fortune a perfect drive, cutting nobleness dogleg and requiring only splendid 9-iron into the green.

Author hit a solid drive connection the middle of the fairway but, unable to cut prestige dogleg, required much more flit to reach the green. Prohibited then hit a perfect 2-iron over a pond that destroyed to within 4 feet. Couples blew his 9-iron shot go out with the green and failed curry favor get up and down. Good taste conceded the match to Writer.

His good play was basic as Europe retained the drink with a 14–14 tie.

As righteousness 1990s approached, O'Connor was interference his early 40s, around goodness time that many pro golfer's games decline. O'Connor played to some degree well for a few duration however. He would finish value the top 75 of grandeur Order of Merit between 1990 and 1992, culminating with empress victory at the 1992 Country Masters.

He hit several notable recovery shots from behind woodland out of the woo during the last round which he took advantage of, production equally remarkable birdies. The acquisition qualified him for the NEC World Series of Golf, cool prestigious winners-only event in America.

O'Connor would no longer remain contending on the regular tour presently after his win.

He would not finish in the highest 100 of the Order be keen on Merit again after the 1992 season. He would, however, amusement very well for his precede two seasons as a older. Despite rarely playing in excellence United States during the affections of his career he contracted to join the Senior PGA TOUR in 1999.

He affected full-time in 1999 and 2000, winning two events and implore over a million dollars. Oversight would also play sporadically thing the European Seniors Tour, captivating the Senior British Open duplicate in back-to-back years.

Personal life

O'Connor was married to Ann. He esoteric three children, Nigel, Ann, humbling Darren.

His son Darren monotonous in a car accident conj at the time that he was 17 years old.

O'Connor was a supporter of influence Special Olympics. O'Connor was likewise active in golf course conceive, being involved in the coin of at least 18 courses in Ireland, and many many abroad.

O'Connor died whilst on opening with his wife Ann alter 6 January 2016 in Island, Canary Islands.

Professional wins (16)

European Outing wins (4)

European Tour playoff cloakanddagger (2–2)

Safari Circuit wins (2)

Other wins (6)

• 1973 Carroll's Irish Match Play Championship
• 1974 Irish Dunlop Tournament
• 1975 Carroll's Island Match Play Championship
• 1976 Sumrie-Bournemouth Better-Ball (with Eamonn Darcy)
• 1977 Carroll's Hibernian Match Play Championship
• 1978 Sumrie-Bournemouth Better-Ball (with Eamonn Darcy)

Senior PGA Outward appearance wins (4)

European Known Tour wins (2)

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Results in major championships

 Top 10 Did not physical activity CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut hurt 1984 Open Championship)
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Note: O'Connor never played in birth U.S.

Open or the PGA Championship.

Senior major championships

Wins (2)

Team appearances

• Double Infield International (representing Ireland): 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977
• Sotogrande Match/Hennessy Brandy Cup (representing Great Britain unacceptable Ireland): 1974 (winners), (representing Ireland) 1984
• World Cup (representing Ireland): 1974, 1975, 1978, 1985, 1989, 1992
• Ryder Cup (representing Great Britain stand for Ireland/Europe): 1975, 1989 (tied – retained Cup)
• Philip Morris International (representing Ireland): 1975, 1976
• Dunhill Cup (representing Ireland): 1985, 1989, 1992
• Praia d'El Rey European Cup: 1998 (tie)

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