Rory McIlroy simply had to win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award in 2025.
With respect to the achievements of rugby star Ellie Kildunne and Formula 1’s Lando Norris, McIlroy hotstepped his way to the Salford Quays on December 18, shortly after competing in The Golf Channel Games in Florida, because this was his time.
He didn’t turn up when he was nominated in 2023, and later admitted that he forgot he was nominated. “So that’s how much I think about it. It’s a popularity contest. It’s not what it once was.”
He joined only Sir Nick Faldo (1989) and Dai Rees (1957) in the hall of fame of an award, where many believe golfers have been unjustly shut out for too long.
It might not have matched the relief and joy he felt when winning the Masters at Augusta, but at least now, the Northern Irishman can say he won SPOTY, regardless of how UK sports fans, or even he, rates this historic accolade.
You could argue that winning the Green Jacket in April on his 17th attempt, and his 11th attempt at securing all four major trophies, was just the tip of the iceberg of his season, but naturally, the broadcast and general focus were centred around that most incredible day down Magnolia Lane on April 13.
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I was there on reporting duty for NCG, and saw McIlroy caress home the winning putt and drop to his knees, standing under the oak tree about 100 yards short of the famous 18th green. A crestfallen Justin Rose gracefully congratulated his Ryder Cup teammate and friend on this first playoff hole, after the pair had tied following a final round for the ages.
Having been immersed in golf since the age of 12, whether that be watching, playing or writing, I had always been aware of Rory’s seismic popularity, but perhaps not the emotional stranglehold he has on fans on the ground. Several people at Augusta were moved to tears, both walking the course on the other side of the ropes, and among my peers in the media centre.
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But, like I say, winning the Masters was part of a collectively strong year for the 36-year-old. Before this, he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach, and the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. What is often lost in the modern game is that venues matter, and McIlroy won events at venues which resonate with the golfing audience.
He then won at Augusta, but sadly couldn’t reach that same peak of the mountain at the other majors. Winning The Open at Royal Portrush would’ve arguably matched winning the Masters, but it wasn’t to be. The feverish, loyal Irish crowd willed every putt in and energised McIlroy through every step of the 153rd Open in July on the Antrim Coast.
One experienced US reporter told me that when The Open is at Portrush, the crowds Rory attracts are equal to Tiger Woods in his pomp. The depth and passion of the crowd that McIlroy harnesses on home soil was also clear when he won the Irish Open in a playoff against Joakim Lagergren.
Much like many putts he made for Europe at this year’s Ryder Cup in September, McIlroy forced an eagle through sheer determination on the 72nd hole to enter a playoff with the Swede, who had the hopeless task of facing Rory McIlroy in sudden death for the Irish Open title.
Having already told the world Europe would win the 2025 Ryder Cup two years previously, there was weight on his shoulders to lead the continent and deliver their first away win since 2012, and only the third away win of any team in this event since the turn of the millennium.
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The confused, bewildered operation that was the US Ryder Cup team picked Keegan Bradley, one of the best active players in the world, as captain, and it seemed his side’s best asset was the crowd at Bethpage in Long Island, which arguably showed more fight than the 12 players wearing red, white and blue.
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Countless reports from the ground and video footage showed that McIlroy and his family were the subjects of vile abuse alien not only to golf, but to sport in general. While the performance of McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm and the rest of Luke Donald’s side will live long in the memory, Ryder Cup organisers must look back on what McIlroy faced outside of the ropes, feel great shame and do better.
As it happens, Team Europe won Sports Personality Team of the Year as well, which McIlroy and Fleetwood accepted with large grins on stage.
All of this came before McIlroy won the Race to Dubai for the fourth time in a row, and seventh in total. That took him past the six Order of Merits in Europe that Seve Ballesteros won, and one closer to the eight of Colin Montgomerie.
Everything that McIlroy does now, whether he misses a three-footer to win or lose, he places in the context of having his daughter Poppy by his side. During last night’s ceremony, he became emotional when speaking about Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe, who won the Helen Rollason award for outstanding contribution in the face of adversity.
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Sergio and David launched fundraising projects to continue the legacies of their daughters, Elsie and Alice, who were killed in the Southport atrocities of July 2024.
McIlroy has never been shy to shed a tear, and perhaps last night, the penny dropped to the wider public that he deserved this award not only for his achievements, but for the very criteria it is based on: personality.
Now, on the distant approach to 40 and a father to a five-year-old girl, McIlroy can say he’s a grand slam champion, only one of six in the history of the men’s game, and one of only three golfers to win the Sports Personality of the Year award.
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Would you have awarded Rory McIlroy Sports Personality of the Year? Did you think there would ever be a successful Rory McIlroy-SPOTY nomination? Tell us on X!
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