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Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 in recognition of a standout season in which he completed the career Grand Slam and made a significant impact in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory. The 36-year-old golfer from Northern Ireland secured his place in history back in April by winning the Masters at Augusta National, thus joining an elite group of players who have claimed all four major championships. McIlroy is the first European to achieve this feat, standing alongside American legends Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, as well as South Africa’s Gary Player.
Having previously triumphed in the US Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship by 2014, McIlroy had to wait another 11 years to conquer Augusta and fulfill his ambition. His remarkable year continued with a pivotal contribution to Europe’s success in the Ryder Cup, where he earned three and a half points, helping Europe to secure their first Ryder Cup victory on American soil since 2012. Additionally, McIlroy thrilled fans at home by winning the Irish Open for the second time, alongside victories at the Players Championship and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He capped off an exceptional year by claiming his seventh Race to Dubai title.
After receiving the Sports Personality award, McIlroy expressed his gratitude for being part of the celebration, saying, “Wow. First of all, I would like to congratulate all of the other finalists. I know how much hard work and dedication it takes, so it is a pleasure to just be in this room. I feel truly honoured to just be a part of it. 2025 has been the year I made my dreams come true. From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between. It’s the year dreams are made of.” England’s rugby union player Ellie Kildunne came in second place, followed by Formula 1 driver Lando Norris in third. Just before collecting his individual accolade, McIlroy, alongside fellow golfer Tommy Fleetwood, accepted the Team of the Year award, presented to Team Europe for their Ryder Cup triumph.
In addition to McIlroy’s win, other nominees considered by an expert panel included England’s forward Chloe Kelly, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton from the Lionesses, and darts player Luke Littler. McIlroy now becomes only the third golfer to win the prestigious Sports Personality award, following Dai Rees in 1957 and Nick Faldo in 1989. He is also the third athlete from Northern Ireland to receive the honor, joining boxer Barry McGuigan and jockey Sir AP McCoy. Reflecting on his journey, McIlroy thanked the public, his family, and particularly his wife Erica and daughter Poppy, who were not present at the ceremony. He remarked, “Hopefully I can challenge to get it again next year.”
McIlroy’s dramatic breakthrough at Augusta was a moment long in the making. After previously losing a four-shot lead at the Masters in 2011, he again faced intense pressure in the final round of the 2025 tournament. Despite a shaky start with a double bogey on the first hole that erased his two-shot advantage, McIlroy regained control with birdies on three of the next seven holes. The back nine proved challenging, as he dropped four strokes over four holes, but the tension escalated to a sudden-death playoff after Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose surged with an impressive finish. McIlroy kept his composure and birdied the first playoff hole, securing his first Masters victory and completing the career Grand Slam. Overcome with emotion, he collapsed to the ground in tears, describing the moment as a release of “a lot of pent-up emotion” that made all the near misses worthwhile.
At the Ryder Cup, McIlroy demonstrated resilience and determination despite facing hostility from the crowd at Bethpage Black in New York, where he endured verbal abuse and expressed condemnation of unacceptable behavior following an incident in which his wife was struck by a thrown drink. Having won six of his eight Ryder Cup appearances, McIlroy is widely regarded as a future captain for the European team. He shared his aspirations for the role, saying, “I would love to be the European team captain at some point, but that will be when I’m not good enough to make the team, or I make way for the new generation to come along.
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