Christy O’Connor Jnr: His love of life shone through

IT IS a testament to the greatness of Christy O’Connor Jnr — not just as a sportsman but as a human being — that he dealt with triumph and disaster with equal grace and dignity.

One of Ireland’s most celebrated golfers, he was a member of the winning Ryder Cup team in 1989 at the Belfry, where he helped secure the trophy for Europe.

While hugely successful before this, it was his contribution to that victory — a two-iron shot to the 18th hole — that secured his enduring legacy as a great golfer.