Christy O'Connor voted into World Golf Hall of Fame

Christy O'Connor, who won 24 European Tour titles over a career spanning four decades, has been voted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2009.
One of the most popular players of his generation, the 84-year-old Irishman competed on 10 Ryder Cup teams and also claimed eight victories on the European senior circuit.
O'Connor will be inducted on November 2 at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida.
Affectionately known as 'Himself' among his peers, Christy will become the second Irishman to enter the Hall of Fame, following the late Joe Carr who was inducted in 2007.
"I never expected to be nominated, never mind selected, for the World Golf Hall of Fame," O'Connor said in a statement.
"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.
"This is a fantastic honour, not only for myself and my family but for the whole of Ireland and, in particular, all my friends in professional golf -- sadly many now departed -- who helped me enjoy a wonderful career in the game."
O'Connor, whose nephew Christy O'Connor Jr. won four European Tour titles, turned professional in 1946. Nine years later, he became the first player to win £1,000 pounds in a European tournament at the Swallow-Penfold.