THE proud father of Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club's youngster member hopes his five-year-old son can emulate the achievement of Rory McIlory by winning the British Open Championship by aged 25.

Benjamin Turner began playing golf three years ago and recently starred in the Barbon-based golf club's Fun Day alongside his father Tony and two uncles.

Earlier this year, McIlory's dad Gerry picked up £50,000 after placing a £100 bet at odds of 500/1 ten years ago that his son would win the Open.

Confident his son has what it takes to the reach the big time, Tony plans to stake a bet that Benjamin can do the same.

"Me and a couple of friends are going to get together and have a bet," said Tony, himself a professional golfer and coach."I don't know what odds I will be getting. I've got a bookmaker friend who is currently abroad so I might go to one of the bigger bookmakers.

"If he didn't want to play I wouldn't force it. It is a way of teaching discipline because he knows he has to behave in this environment. The plan is to see how he goes but I hope he will turn professional."

Benjamin, who hails from Barnoldswick, on the Yorkshire and Lancashire border, visits the golf club once a fortnight where his grandmother Christine O'Neill, and her partner, Tony Stocker, run the catering aspect.

The Barnoldswick Church of England School pupil admits McIlroy is his favourite golfer and adds: "I like being outside, hitting the ball and driving in the buggy."