Ten years ago Gerry McIlroy and three of his friends each put down £100 that Gerry’s then-15-year-old son Rory McIlroy would win the British Open before he turned 26 years old. McIlroy, who is now 25, enters Sunday’s final round of the Open with a six-shot lead, and a chance to make his dad a nice chunk of change.
Rory McIlroy wins the British Open, his dad cashes in on 10-year-old bet
Gerry McIlroy and four friends will split more than $340,000 now that his son has won the British Open.
Andrew Redington
Gerry McIlrory told the Irish Golf Desk about the bet in 2006, explaining that bookies put a cap on the amount of money the group could bet on young Rory.
“We put the bet on when he was 15, they would only let us lay £400-£100 each.”
Those bets are now on the verge of netting the four men nearly £50,000 each, or $84,000. Not a bad potential return on investment.
If the younger McIlroy can finish off his win at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, he’ll claim his third career major victory, and first British Open title.
In case you were wondering, Rory would walk away with £975,000, or $1.66 million, if he holds on to his lead. There’s also a good chance he’s got $84,000 in change between his couch cushions. That’s an exaggeration ... probably.
