This ‘Mini McIlroy’ sunk a hole-in-one at only 4 years old

By Douglas Whitbread via SWNS

A pint-sized golfer has been hailed as the ‘next Rory McIlroy’ after sinking a 70-yard hole-in-one - at the age of four.

Talented Caleb Parry received applause from stunned bystanders when he hit the astonishing eagle on a par three-hole during a junior tournament.

Proud dad James, 35, said he had first bought the lad set of plastic clubs to play with at home 18 months ago.

But Caleb was soon taking to his local club’s fairways and showing off his “ridiculous” swing, which has earned him plaudits from adult members.

He had taken just 12 lessons with a professional player before he was invited to join the Junior Sixes tournament at Caldy Golf Club, in Birkenhead.

Speaking about the moment he struck the wonder shot Caleb, now five, said: “I hit [it with] my driver, and it went in and everyone cheered for me.”

The youngster added that he hopes to emulate "Tiger Woods" when he’s older.

Proud James said his son could be on a par with Tommy Fleetwood or Rory McIlroy in the future, saying: “I think he’s very good, and the swing he’s got is ridiculous for a five-year-old.

"It’s one in however many to be able to do that.

"I am hoping that he, more for him, sticks with it. If he can take it as far as he can, it would be very good and interesting for him."

James, who is also an avid golfer, thought all kids could hit a golf ball as well as Caleb when he got him a set of plastic clubs last year.

But when he then compared his son’s hitting ability to others his age, he realized the lad could have something special about him.

Caleb now visits Heswall Golf Club three times a week - with video footage showing him practicing his shots in the living room of his home on the Wirral.

James said: “It was around 18 months old he started with just some plastic clubs, and he started swinging. I just thought all kids could do it.

“About six months ago, he started lessons at Heswall Golf Club, which is where I’m a member, with their professional, Jason. From there, he seemed to really enjoy it.

“Every night after school, he says, ‘Can I go and play golf.’ So it’s now kind of ingrained in him.

“And he usually wakes up in the morning and chips or does some putting in the living room.”

James said he was thrilled when Caleb was invited to take part in the Junior Sixes tournament as part of a team at Caldy Golf Club on August 21.

And he was watching him on the fifth hole when he knocked the ball cleanly off the tee and into the cup.

James said: “It was their fifth hole on that course. And his team were playing quite well, and he just stepped up.

"Then a few people shouted, ‘That’s going in’. It rolled up and went in.

“It’s a 70-yard hole. So it was a driver for him. It bounced short of the green and then carried on rolling all the way in. I was shocked and in a bit of disbelief.”

James said Caleb had not fully realized what he had achieved until he got home and told his mum, Lisa, 33.

He added: “Now he doesn’t stop saying it. If he plays with his uncle or anything like that, then he’ll say he’s had a hole-in-one.

“Luckily I’ve had one, otherwise, I probably wouldn’t hear the end of it.”