Dad & Friends cash McIlroy Open win

Gerry McIlroy had paid it forward. The father to Rory McIlroy knew he was dealing with a winner long before we could scent the talent of his son.

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Gerry McIlroy had paid it forward. The father to Rory McIlroy knew he was dealing with a winner long before we could scent the talent of the 25 year old golfer. The old man and his friends laid a legal bet, over a decade ago, that his son would win the Open Championships before he turns 26.

 

It was an obviously insane bet and the  bookies were happy to offer 500-1 odds that the bet might turn reality. On Sunday, McIlroy did just that, holding off a determined Sergio Garcia and a faltering Rickie Fowler to clinch the title by two shots and help his father win the bet.

 


In 2011, when McIlroy won his maiden major at the US Open, victory came on father’s day with Gerry watching over his son on the course. Less than three years later, McIlroy is making yet another gift to his dad in winning the most prized trophy in golf.

 

Gerry and three of his friends had pooled £400 in 2004 to place a bet that the son would win The Open by this year. Rory did just that, helping his dad and their friends enjoy a £200,000 payday.

 

Andrew Cotter, the man that covers golf for the BBC, has been the primary source of this information and he tweeted a confirmation earlier on Sunday. “10 yrs ago Gerry McIlroy & three friends put £400 at 500-1 on 15 year-old Rory to win The Open before he turned 26,” posted Cotter on his twitter account.

 

The bet will translate to winnings of  $85,400 per person, so the bookie in McIlroy’s hometown of Hollywood will need to pay a visit to the bank very soon to keep the cash ready.

 

Report by Anand Datla

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