Golf

McIlroy win would be extra special for his father

Gerry McIlroy and three friends to collect £200,000 winnings if Claret Jug is secured tomorrow

Rory McIlroy at the 12th on the third day at the British Open. Photograph: EPA
Rory McIlroy at the 12th on the third day at the British Open. Photograph: EPA
Sat Jul 19 2014 - 20:15

Rory McIlroy can win over €1 million with victory in the 143rd British Open Championship at Royal Liverpool on Sunday, but his father would also have another reason to celebrate.

Ten years ago 25-year-old McIlroy’s dad Gerry and three friends each placed a £100 bet at odds of 500/1 that his son would become British Open champion before he turned 26.

That would mean a windfall of £200,000 in total for the quartet if McIlroy can turn a six-shot lead into the third major title of his career.

The Northern Irishman has won each of his two majors by eight shots, the first in the US Open at Congressional in 2011 and the second in the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island the following year.

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However, in 2011 McIlroy also took a four-shot lead into the final round of the Masters at Augusta before collapsing to a closing 80, while he himself won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this year from seven shots behind with 18 holes remaining.