Hole in one aged nine!

SINK that! Dan Riley (9) scores a hole in one.

OLDHAM could have the next Rory McIlroy on the cards — after a nine-year-old golf prodigy sunk his first hole-in-one.

Dan Riley, of Ballard Way, Shaw, left professionals stunned as he achieved the rare feat during a competition at Crompton and Royton Golf Club.

The young golfer was shocked himself with the ace at the 120 yard, par 3, fourth hole, which club members say is a nightmare on a windy day.

But despite his tender years Dan already has a handicap of only 26 — which is improving all the time after the Chronicle reported last year that he had achieved a mark of 38.

The Royton Hall Primary School pupil set records when he was the youngest golfer, at the age of eight, in the club’s near 100-year history to register an official handicap.

The talented youngster had earlier won the club’s Junior Centenary Trophy, which will see his name go up on a board at the club.

For his hole-in-one Dan was presented with a tie bearing the club’s badge as a reward.

His amazing progress could yet see Dan emulate star golfer Rory McIlroy, who became the youngest winner of the US Open Championship since 1923 this summer.

However, Dan’s proud dad Rob missed his son’s big moment because he was a hole behind helping someone with their swing. He told the Chronicle that he had wondered what all the shouting was about in the distance.

It was only when he came over the hill, he saw Dan standing in shock as his pals celebrated around him.

Rob said: “I’m really proud because he works so hard for it. It’s such a massive achievement.

“He’s up there playing for a few hours every night after school - he really puts the effort in because he wants to be a pro - it’s his life.

“It’s all down to his coaches Martin Beaty and Karen Heywood.”

Dan started his rise to the top five years ago when his dad took him to Castle Hawk and, while the youngster didn’t play, bought him some baby clubs in the shop afterwards.

Since then he’s got better and better, with only his size restricting him.

Martin Beaty, who set up a ‘kidz’ section at Crompton and Royton catering for under-10s, is delighted with the rapid progress made by the golfing prodigy.

He said: “Dan is very talented. At first he came for a few lessons but has progressed in leaps and bounds.

“He is here playing every night — you can’t keep him away.”

Dan, who is huge fan of the world’s number two Lee Westwood, said he can’t wait to set sights on his idol at the 2012 Open at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s course.