Rory McIlroy has won the British Open for the first time at the age of 25. Not that his father ever doubted it: Ten years ago, Gerry McIlroy and three friends placed £100 on young Rory winning the British Open before his 26th birthday. The odds were 500-to-1. That means the four of them have now won £200,000 ($342,000).
Which is impressive—though not as impressive as the young McIlroy’s prize money of £975,000 for winning at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club and becoming the third-youngest person to complete a career grand slam of golf’s three biggest events.
The bet also meant that McIlroy’s father earned more from the 2014 British Open than Tiger Woods did—as Woods would have to have finished in the top 15 to match Gerry McIlroy’s payout. Woods finished in 69th place.
With Rory McIlroy continuing to perform at the highest level, his father might consider placing another bet or two on his son’s future.