Rory McIlroy has won the 143rd Open Championship at Hoylake.
The win is his third major and means Northern Ireland golfers have won five of the last 19 majors.
The star of Holywood Golf Club held off a spirited challenge from Ryder Cup team-mate Sergio Garcia to claim his third major title on a thrilling final day of the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman becomes just the third man in the modern era after Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus to win three majors by the age of 25, while the first prize of £975,000 was not the only windfall for the McIlroy family – his father Gerry and three friends each won £50,000 after putting £100 on the 15-year-old at 500-1 a decade ago to lift the Claret Jug before his 26th birthday.
Speaking about the bet struck by his father and three friends, he added: “I don’t think it matters so much to my dad anymore but the team-mates he did it with, I think they’re a little happier. Hopefully the bet still stands. I’m not quite sure but if it does then that’d be great.”
Open Champion @McIlroyRory and the ultimate #OpenSelfie pic.twitter.com/OJhn6JogV2
— Love Belfast ❤️ (@love_belfast) July 20, 2014
Rory McIlroy joins the greats! #TheOpen@McIlroyRory has won the 143rd Open Championship http://t.co/foqcUBgHlB pic.twitter.com/7g2tTWzD6E
— Love Belfast ❤️ (@love_belfast) July 20, 2014
Celebrating with the Claret Jug!! @McIlroyRory has won the 143rd Open Championship http://t.co/MYIHAazy65 pic.twitter.com/1bES3a88oK
— Takebackthecity ✪ (@Takebacktheciti) July 20, 2014
Following @McIlroyRory's #TheOpen win, now's the perfect time to play NI's great golf courses. http://t.co/F4QmHxxjvN pic.twitter.com/nBDEVKVAFz
— Love Belfast ❤️ (@love_belfast) July 20, 2014
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