O'Connor Sr enters Hall of Fame

Christy O'Connor Senior won 24 European Tour titles

Irish legend Christy O'Connor Sr has been voted into the prestigious World Golf Hall of Fame.

One of the most popular players of his generation, O'Connor played in 10 Ryder Cups and won 24 European Tour titles in a glittering career.

The 84-year-old, whose selection in the Hall of Fame's veterans category was announced on Wednesday, will be inducted in Florida in November.

"I never expected to be nominated, never mind selected," said O'Connor.

O'Connor, one of the most popular players of his generation, will become the second Irishman to enter the Hall of Fame, following the late Joe Carr who was inducted in 2007.

"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," added O'Connor, affectionately known as 'Himself' among his peers.

"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.

Through all his success down the years, Christy has remained the same modest, self-effacing person George O'Grady

"This news comes in the same week that I celebrate 50 years as a professional at Royal Dublin. I would have to say it is one of the great weeks in my life."

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 in a European tournament at the Swallow-Penfold.

During the 1960s, he won at least once each year on the European Tour and in 1961 he became the first Irishman to win the circuit's order of merit title, which he retained a year later.

"Through all his success down the years, Christy has remained the same modest, self-effacing person who endeared himself to a small nation besotted by his glorious talent," European chief executive George O'Grady said.

"All of us at the European Tour would like to convey our congratulations to Christy, his wife Mary and their extended family on his elevation to the Hall of Fame."

O'Connor joins American Lanny Wadkins, a 21-times winner on the PGA Tour, in the Hall of Fame's class of 2009.

The selection of Wadkins was announced last month.