Christy O’Connor Junior: Legend with a beautiful touch

The death yesterday of Christy O’Connor Junior, one our most beloved golfers, brought to mind the shot heard round the world — but the Galway man was about much more than a two-iron at The Belfry. Junior carried his talents lightly and charmed everyone he met, writes Charlie Mulqueen.

THE DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1989. The scene: the 18th fairway, The Belfry in the English West Midlands. The occasion: the final day of the Ryder Cup. The players: Christy O’Connor Junior and Fred Couples.

The audience: the rival captains, Tony Jacklin (Europe) and Raymond Floyd (US), Prince Andrew of England, the players’ wives including Ann O’Connor and a number of privileged onlookers, including Charlie Mulqueen of the Examiner. Outside the ropes, 30,000 wildly-excited onlookers.