Meet the UK’s ‘new Rory McIlroy’ who has already hit a hole-in-one aged 4 | Golf | Sport

Caleb Parry is barely old enough to be in school but he has already achieved something many experienced golfers never manage.

The talented youngster shocked bystanders by sinking a hole-in-one at the age of four earlier this year, making him one of the youngest people on record to do so. Parry’s smooth swing has already earned comparisons to Rory McIlroy, but he says he would rather go on to emulate Tiger Woods.

He was playing at the Caldy Golf Club par 3 course in the Wirral Golf Junior League when a 70-yard drive rolled in for an eagle. Parry and his dad, James, have since had time to reflect on his mind-boggling shot.

“I hit my driver, and it went in and everyone cheered for me,” said Caleb, now five years old, who got his first set of plastic clubs just 18 months ago.

Proud father James added: “It was their fifth hole on that course. And his team were playing quite well, and he just stepped up. A few people shouted, ‘That’s going 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 don’t think it was until later on that it sunk in that he’s actually got a hole in one – I was gobsmacked and just couldn’t believe it.”

Caleb had just 12 lessons under his belt and was only four months into using his metal clubs by the time of the ace. His dazzling club control is already turning heads, and dad James is keeping his fingers crossed that he will keep up his passion for years to come.

“I think he’s very good, and the swing he’s got is ridiculous for a five-year-old,” he said. “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 added: “Every night after school he asks to go and play golf, so it’s now kind of ingrained in him. He usually wakes up of a morning and chips or does some putting in the living room. 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.”