Ladbrokes confirmed on Twitter it is paying out more than $300,000 (180,000 pounds) in a series of bets Gerry McIlroy and his father made in 2004 and 2005 that Rory would win the British Open by the time he turned 26.
“CONGRATULATIONS RORY: We’re paying out 180k to Rory’s Dad and pals. There’ll be some party at the McIlroy’s tonight!” Ladbrokes posted on its Twitter account.
Gerry made a 200-pound bet in 2004 at 500-1 odds that McIlroy would win a British Open before turning 26. That paid out $171,000. His father’s friends bet 400 pounds a year later at 250-1 odds, according to ESPN, and that paid out $136,700.
“Honestly, that 50 grand that he’s going to win, he doesn’t care about as much as the other three friends that he did that with; they’re going to be very happy,’’ McIlroy said.
“He’s never reminded me. I knew that he’d done it. I’m not sure if it will pay out. If it does, it’s a nice little bonus.”