LONDON – Christy O’Connor Jr., the Irish golfer who produced the shot of his career to help Europe win the 1989 Ryder Cup, has died. He was 67.
The European Tour said Wednesday that O’Connor died in his sleep while on holiday in Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.
The crowning moment of O’Connor’s career came at the Ryder Cup at The Belfry in 1989.
O’Connor hit a 2-iron from the fairway to about 3 ½ feet for a birdie at the 18th to beat Fred Couples. The shot helped ensure the Ryder Cup finished 14-14, meaning Europe retained the trophy as defending champion.