PGA Tour Schedule: Rory McIlroy Wins British Open Championship 2014 At Royal Liverpool As Father's Bet Nets $171K

Jul 21, 2014 12:14 AM EDT

The British Open saw Rory McIlroy go wire to wire for the victory at the Open Championships from Royal Liverpool by two strokes over Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler to win his third major before he is 26 and his victory gave his father a win on a bet for $171K after putting down a wager on his son years ago.

McIlroy started off on Thursday with the lead and he did not give it up and now he has won his third major championship and this one was particularly impressive. McIlroy now joins Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to get three majors before 26 and he is the third youngest behind those two legends. McIlroy had to keep things afloat in the final round after coming in with a six shot lead and he ended up with a one under and got the win for the major.

McIlroy had a rough year in 2013 and his 2014 season has been nothing but great on the golf course and after breaking up with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, McIlroy is not looking worse for the wear. Woz also won this past weekend and everyone can take that for what it is, but either way, McIlroy has another major championship to his name. McIlroy is now in position to add the grand slam to his career resume by 27 like Woods and Nicklaus and those two did it before the age of 25.

McIlroy's father placed a bet on his son at 500-1 odds back in 2004 that he would win the major within the next decade and now he has done it and it will be paid out $171k after the bet was placed. McIlroy obviously doesn't need the money, but the Ladbrokes betting firm said they were paying out the money to McIlroy's father after making the remarkable bet,

"I've really found my passion again for golf," McIlroy said. "Not that it ever dwindled, but it's what I think about when I get up in the morning. It's what I think about when I go to bed. I just want to be the best golfer that I can be. And I know if I can do that, then trophies like this are within my capability."

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