If Rory McIlroy Wins British Open, His Dad Will Win 10-Year-Old Bet

This story has been out there for a while, but this is the last chance for McIlroy to make his dad some easy money. In 2004, when Rory McIlroy was 15, his dad and some of his buddies bet 400 British pounds, the equivalent of $171 U.S. dollars each, that McIlroy would win the British Open before he turned 26, at 500-1 odds. Rory McIlroy is 25 and owner of a six-stroke lead going into the final round of the British tomorrow.

There was some confusion—based on the wording of "by 25"—if the bet was still good, but Andrew Cotter of the BBC confirmed that since he is still 25, the bet is still on.

It's shaping up to be very easy money. The elder McIlroy and his friends stand to make 200,000 pounds, or approximately $341, 730, if his son can just manage to not shit himself at Royal Liverpool tomorrow. McIlroy has breezed through the course this week, posting six-under rounds of 66 on Thursday and Friday, and followed it up with a four-under round of 68 today for a three-round total of -16.

Even though Rory pulled the typical kid move and waited to last possible moment to make good, it's still a great show of support and confidence on his dad's part.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Rory McIlroy's dad bet on him to win Open before age 26 [CBS]