Irish golfer Christy O'Connor Snr passed away last night.
According to Independent.ie, the 91-year-old died peacefully at the Mater Hospital.
His passing comes four months after the death of his nephew and fellow professional golfer Christy O'Connor Jnr.
Born in Galway, O'Connor Snr famously played in ten consecutive Ryder Cups between 1955 and 1973. It was a record which went unbeaten until the 90s.
In 1965, he placed second at The Open. It was the closest he would come to winning a major. It was also the only Major in which he competed. In 26 appearances at The Open he managed ten top ten finishes.
His was a career which spanned four decades and featured 24 European Tour victories.
O'Connor was affectionately know as 'Himself'.
Renowned BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss said of O'Connor:
Himself was a genius…a legend of Irish golf and golf in general.
So very sorry to hear about the death of Christy O'Connor Snr. Ireland's original golfing hero. It was a privilege to have known him.
— Gerry Kelly (@GerryKellyShow) May 14, 2016
In 2009, O'Connor was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
