A Blackpool golfer got the surprise of this life and all thanks to the enormous generosity of four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy who agreed to send Barry Edwards a new driver.

Edwards, 40 is a self-employed builder who lives on the north side of Blackpool, started a Facebook conversation with the world-renowned golfer, he never realised that he would end up being promised on of McIlroy’s prized clubs!

Blackpool golfer Barry Edwards gets to keep one of Rory McIlroy’s drivers.

McIlroy, who has 960,000 followers on social media, had a few, idle moments away from his busy, global schedule to check his Facebook account and spotted a tongue-in-cheek request from Barry, asking the great man if he had a spare driver.

The conversation between the two went something like this.

Barry: “I still need a new driver.

“Any chance of one of your old NIKE ones, fella?”

Rory: “Sure. I’ll send you a NIKE covert driver. Served me well. Message me your address and my team will ship it to you.”

Barry: “Seriously? I was joking – lol. But would be very, very grateful.

“I have had mine about eight years now and it’s getting really tired.”

Rory: “No joke. Message me and I’ll have one shipped.

“Can’t guarantee 320-yard drives though!”

Not surprisingly, Barry is very excited at the prospect of receiving this early, unexpected Christmas present.

* Thanks to Blackpool Gazette for this story.