Champ punt pays off after eight years

WHEN Brian McElhinney saw a then 14-year-old Rory McIlroy represent Ulster Youths at the Interprovincials in Lahinch in 2003, he knew he was witnessing a special talent and trusted his instincts, placing £300 on the prodigy to win a major by 2020, at odds of 66/1.

McElhinney had nine years to spare when McIlroy tapped in on the 18th green at Congressional to mark a historic eight-shot victory in the US Open and win his first major, winning the Clare pharmacist £20,100 (€22,648) in the process.

“He was a superb player, even then,” McElhinney said. “I just followed him a little more after the interpros and then I said to myself, let’s have a gamble. Even so young he a had a great head for the game.”