O'Connor, Christy (1924– )

Irish golfer, born in Galway. Ireland's greatest golfer, and a leading player in European golf in the late 1950s and 1960s, O'Connor won 24 tournaments on the British PGA Tour, and twice topped the Order of Merit. He never won a major title, but between 1958 and 1969 he finished in the top five of the British Open on seven occasions, and was runner-up in 1965. He was ten times Irish Professional Champion, 1958–78, and in partnership with Harry Bradshaw (1913–1990) won the 1958 World Cup for Ireland. Between 1955 and 1973 he played in ten Ryder Cups, an all-time record until surpassed by Nick Faldo in 1997. His nephew, Christy O'Connor Jr (1948– ), also became a leading player.