O’Connor: McGinley Ryder snub would prove anti-Irish bias

Christy O’Connor Junior, who will always be remembered for the 2-iron shot at the 18th hole at The Belfry that enabled Europe to retain the 1989 Ryder Cup, believes it will be a “disgrace” and a demonstration of “anti-Irishness” if Paul McGinley isn’t appointed captain of the team to defend the trophy at Gleneagles in 2014.

In his autobiography From Rough to Fair Ways (Paperweight Publications) being launched in Dublin this evening, O’Connor is extremely critical of the fact there has never been an Irish captain in the history of the biennial clash of the USA and Europe and asserts: “To me it is bordering on an overwhelming sense of anti-Irishness. How else can one explain it?”

O’Connor Jnr is very hurt that his famous uncle Christy Senior was never given the honour. He pointed out: “Right up to the modern era when Nick Faldo surpassed the 50 points mark, Christy Senior held the points record for a European player with 36. BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss is forever talking about him in glowing terms as one of the best golfers of all time. ‘Senior’ also held the European appearances record of 10 which was eventually surpassed by Nick Faldo reaching 11 in 1997.”