McIlroy’s father hits jackpot with son’s win

Rory McIlroy hugs his father Gerry, who stands to cash in on a 500-1 bet. (Nick Woods/AP)

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

The BBC said McIlroy’s father, Gerry, and three of Gerry’s 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.

The odds were 500-1, so the syndicate looks to collect 200,000 pounds ($340,000) now that McIlroy has lifted the claret jug. He won by two strokes over Sergio Garcia and Ricky Fowler.

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