Christy O’Connor Jnr: Great person first, great golfer second

I have to admit the announcement of Christy O’Connor Jnr’s death in Tenerife yesterday hit me hard. 

This was a man for whom I have so much admiration. When I arrived on the European Tour in 1987, he was one of the first individuals, along with Des Smyth and Eamonn Darcy, to take me under their wings, showing me the ropes while also plundering my bank account every Tuesday during fourball practice!

Christy was old school, a great golfer who understood the value of the opportunity that the blossoming Tour presented to his career.