Rory McIlroy's dad wins big on 10-year-old bet on son

HOYLAKE, England - Rory McIlroy was not the only winner at the British Open on Sunday.

The BBC said McIlroy's father, Gerry, and one of his friends placed a combined bet of 400 pounds (now $680) in 2004 on McIlroy winning the British Open before he turned 26.

McIlroy was 15 at the time of the wager and is now 25.

Jessica Bridge, spokeswoman for bookmakers Ladbrokes, told the BBC: "Nine out of 10 times, these bets come to nothing, but on this occasion the punters definitely knew more than we did. And we can only doff our cap to their confidence and foresight."

The odds were 500-1, so Gerry looks to collect 50,000 pounds ($85,000) now that McIlroy has lifted the claret jug. He won by two strokes over Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler.