Rory McIlroy is the overwhelming favorite to win his first British Open title as he takes a six-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round at Royal Liverpool.
A victory by Rory would make his father, Gerry, a proud parent. It would also make Gerry a lot of money, too.
In 2004, Gerry McIlroy and three of his friends bet £400 (all together, not individually) at 500-1 odds that Rory — who was just 15 years old at the time — would win the Open Championship before turning 26, per Andrew Cotter of the BBC.
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Rory, who doesn’t turn 26 until May 4, 2016, would win his father and his three friends £200,000 — or about $342,000 — if he’s able to protect his lead and win the third major tournament of his young career.
The largest 54-hole lead lost in major championship history is six shots, which has happened only once (Greg Norman at 1996 Masters). So, the odds of Gerry McIlroy cashing in on his 2004 bet are pretty high.
