Rory McIlroy dominated the 2014 Open Championship from start to finish to capture the first Claret Jug trophy of his career. McIlroy was under par in each of his four rounds, finishing 17-under for the tournament with a final round 71 on Sunday.
McIlroy’s dad Gerry, who placed a bet along with his buddies that Rory will the British Open, will take home $171,000 after Rory’s victory on Sunday. Betting firm Ladbrokes has confirmed that one bet — which is believed to be the one Gerry made — was a 200-pound wager placed in 2004 that Rory would win the British Open within the next 10 years. The bet will pay 500:1.
CONGRATULATIONS RORY: We're paying out 180k to Rory's Dad and pals. There'll be some party at the McIlroy's tonight! pic.twitter.com/wOG7vvIygd
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) July 20, 2014
This was the final year that Rory’s dad would have been able to cash in on the bet, which makes the story even more incredible. Two other bets, which were supposedly placed by Gerry’s friends, will also pay out a hefty sum. One wager was 200 pounds at 250:1 that McIlroy would win the Open by 2015 and another at 150:1 that he would do it before age 50. Those wagers are worth a combined $136,700.
“We take the chance on bets like these,” Ladbrokes’ Rachel Bridge told ESPN. “We can make a lot money, but it’s a big risk if one comes through. Unfortunately, on this one, we have egg on our face. Rory’s father and his friends are having champagne on us tonight.”
The victory leaves McIlroy one win away from completing the career grand slam. He won the PGA Championship in 2012 and US Open in 2011. McIlroy now has three major championships under his belt before his 26th birthday.
McIlroy was only the seventh player in the 143-year history of the Open Championship to lead the tournament from the opening round through the finish. No other player even tied him at any point after the first round was in the books.
The 25-year-old Northern Irishman has come out firing at a number of tournaments this year only to implode in the second round. That was not the case at Royal Liverpool as he matched his first round score with a 66 in Round 2 on Friday.
And for those of you who are interested, here is the lucky lady that might be dating Rory.
