By Bill Fields
Golf Digest Resource Center
November 2, 2009
"Wristy Christy" they called him, and he had one of the best pair of hands golf has seen. Christy O'Connor Sr., a creative shotmaker and Irish legend, has been selected for the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Veterans category.
O'Connor, 84, who won 43 professional titles and played on 10 Ryder Cup teams, will become the second Irish golfer in the WGHOF, joining the late Joe Carr. So talented was O'Connor -- one of the most natural swingers ever, according to Lee Trevino -- and revered in his homeland that he got the nickname "Himself."
He inspired generations of Irish golfers.
"He was the Sam Snead of Irish golf," David Feherty told Golf World in 2006. "He had one of the greatest swings."
O'Connor, who will be inducted Nov. 2, was humbled by the honor.
"My deepest thanks go to those who felt I was a deserving case and those who voted for me to join such a distinguished list of golfing people," he said.
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