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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Cian O'Connor channels family legacy for fairytale win at Connacht Men's Stroke Play
ROSCOMMON golfer Cian O'Connor sealed a fairytale win at Galway Golf Club on Saturday afternoon. The golfer held his nerve late on to claim the Connacht Men's Open Stroke Play Championship by a single shot at Galway Golf Club. Advertisement 2 Cian O'Connor claimed the Connacht Men's Open Stroke Play Championship on Saturday Credit: INSTAGRAM @irish_amateur_golf_info 2 Cian O'Connor's golfing roots run deep - his great uncle is the late legend Christy O'Connor Junior The 22-year-old, whose golfing roots run deep at the Salthill course thanks to his family legends Christy O'Connor Snr and Jnr. He fired a stunning final round 65 to finish on -3 - one ahead of Castleknock's David Reddan. Home support roared him over the line, with his dad, sister and grandparents all there to witness his first senior victory. Speaking after the historic win, O'Connor spoke of his emotion and joy at winning such as prestigious competition at the venue. Advertisement read more on golf He stated: 'This is where golf started for my family. It's a special place to win. The University of Memphis student showed his bottle as he carded a gritty bogey at the last after a nervy provisional tee shot He added: 'It wasn't over until the very last group came in. 'I was just relieved to get it done.' Advertisement Most read in Golf 'This is definitely one of my best ever days on a golf course.' Irish golfing royalty runs deep in the O'Connor family. Amanda Balionis accused by Scottie Scheffler of 'trying to get him emotional' during live TV interview Christy O'Connor Senior racked up an incredible 24 professional wins, including two British Masters and multiple Irish championships. The Galway native never won a Major but was a Ryder Cup mainstay across four decades. Advertisement Christy O'Connor Junior made headlines of his own, famously winning four times on the European Tour. But it was that 2-iron at The Belfry in the 1989 Ryder Cup that cemented his legacy. The shot is widely regarded as one of the most iconic shots in Ryder Cup history. He also bagged two Senior British Opens in a glittering career.. Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland's most famous golfing dynasty continues as O'Connor wins Connacht title
Cian O'Connor continued a rich family dynasty as he won the Connacht Men's Open Stroke Play Championship on Saturday. O'Connor, a relative of the great Christy O'Connor Snr and Christy O'Connor Jnr, shot a closing round of 65 to finish on three-under-par, one shot clear of Castleknock's David Reddan. The victory was all the more poignant for Roscommon golfer Cian O'Connor as it arrived at the course where his famous uncles grew up playing the sport. Cian told Golf Ireland: 'It is special. This is where golf started. My family, my great uncle and great great uncle, all played here and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. It's just a good place to win. 'They definitely were big inspirations for me. Growing up and getting into golf and looking up to them and wanting to be like them definitely pushed me on and gave me something to work towards. They're still doing that because I have a long way to go. 'We stayed with my auntie and uncle last night which was handy. I didn't have to drive as far and then my sister was down this morning and my dad came up then and my grandparents as well. 'Big, big crowd for support and I appreciate them.' O'Connor, who has just returned following his junior year at University of Memphis, said: 'This is one of my best days on the golf course.' Knocknacarra man Christy O'Connor Snr (1924-2016) was one of the leading golfers of his generation, winning over 60 professional events and coming close to winning the Open Championship on numerous occasions. The O'Connor golfing heritage continued through Christy O'Connor Jnr (1948-2016), who was the nephew of Christy Snr. O'Connor Jnr had a successful career on the European Tour for many years and is best known for beating Fred Couples at the 1989 Ryder Cup. O'Connor's two-iron into the final hole at the Belfry that skipped to within four feet of the hole is one of the most famous shots in the history of the competition. Now Cian O'Connor looks to have inherited the talents of his famous uncles as he begins to make his own mark on the game.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cian O'Connor shoots blistering 65 to claim Connacht Men's Open stroke play
Roscommon golfer Cian O'Connor held on at the death for a special win as he claimed the Connacht Men's Open Stroke Play Championship by one shot in Galway Golf Club. The 22-year-old was cheered on by his family, as they celebrated at the club where his relatives Christy O'Connor Snr and Christy O'Connor Jnr learned the game. O'Connor, who has just returned following his junior year at University of Memphis, shot a blistering 65 to close out his weekend on -3, one stroke ahead of David Reddan (Castleknock), to secure his first men's victory. 'It is special. This is where golf started. My family, my great uncle and great great uncle, all played here and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. It's just a good place to win,' said O'Connor. 'They definitely were big inspirations for me. Growing up and getting into golf and looking up to them and wanting to be like them definitely pushed me on and gave me something to work towards. They're still doing that because I have a long way to go. 'We stayed with my auntie and uncle last night which was handy. I didn't have to drive as far and then my sister was down this morning and my dad came up then and my grandparents as well. 'Big, big crowd for support and I appreciate them.' Reddan and Dwayne Mallon (Dungannon) were tied for the lead on -3 at the beginning the third and final round, and it was the Castleknock golfer who pushed on initially. Reddan moved to -4 with a birdie on the first but he bogeyed the Par 5 12th and another bogey on 16 left him chasing. Meanwhile, O'Connor took his chance and after a wonderful front nine, which included three birdies, he added another birdie on the 12th. Five pars were to follow, including two brilliant up-and-downs on 16 and 17 and even though he almost came unstuck on 18, where he had to hit a provisional off the tee, O'Connor found his ball and left with a precious bogey. 'I don't know what or how I was feeling because the biggest thing was just finding the golf ball,' said O'Connor. 'I knew it should be findable because of the line it was on and I pulled driver for that reason. Just covered the biggest danger and just make sure that it was findable for a second shot and I did find it. 'After I finished out, I tapped in just to get the ball in the hole and be done and then I look back and see where David was. He was on the fairway, probably had a wedge in. You can't count anyone out. 'And I've played with David before and he's a good putter. So it wasn't done until every group was in really. Nervous signing and stuff and just didn't know what was going to happen. 'This is one of my best days on the golf course.' Read More Shane Lowry has spring in his step ahead of big Irish summer
