Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year after an extraordinary year that saw him win the Ryder Cup away and finally win the Masters (a career Grand Slam).
He has many wins on the PGA Tour and was also the year he won his seventh Race to Dubai title on the DP World Tour, making him the sixth man to win a career Grand Slam.
McIlroy was one of six nominees for the award, with England Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildon in second place and newly crowned F1 world champion Lando Norris in third place.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch highlights from a roller coaster round as Rory McIlroy wins the Masters in a playoff against Justin Rose to complete a career Grand Slam.
Lionesses Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton, who were part of the team that retained the European Championship, and world darts champion Luke Littler completed the six nominees.
“2025 was the year I made my dreams come true, from Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between,” McIlroy said.
“This year was truly a dream come true.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for me as Sports Personality of the Year. But mom and dad, they scared the hell out of me and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
“I would like to congratulate all of the other finalists. I know how much hard work and dedication it takes to achieve what you have achieved this year throughout your career.”
McIlroy, who also won Team of the Year honors on the night with Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood, narrowly defeated Justin Rose in a heated playoff at the Masters in April, ending an 11-year drought that saw him chase the final title for years.
He becomes the first golfer to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award since Nick Faldo in 1989.
Looking back on McIlroy’s dream year
The Northern Irishman opened the year at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January, finishing tied for fourth, before taking his first win of the year at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
His next victory came in March at The Players Championship, where he went from a four-stroke deficit to a three-stroke deficit in the final round, finishing tied with J.J. Spaun at 12 under and winning a three-hole playoff.
Just one month later, the moment he had been waiting for his entire career arrived. After coming out on top in a playoff against Rose at Augusta, he finally earned the coveted Masters green jacket.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy completes career grand slam after thrilling final round and playoffs at Augusta National
Later that month, he returned to the track to compete in the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, where he teamed up with Shane Lowry to finish tied for 12th place.
At the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, McIlroy finished tied for 47th, his lowest result of the year, 14 strokes behind leader Scottie Scheffler, who was five shots behind the next closest player.
However, he bounced back quickly at the Travelers Championship, Genesis Scottish Open, and The Open, finishing tied for 6th, 2nd, and 7th, respectively.
At the Amgen Irish Open in September, he overcame a four-shot deficit in the final round to win his second championship.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
A look back at the most controversial moments of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
Later that month, he traveled to the United States with Team Europe for the Ryder Cup, helping the team win the Cup for the first time since 2012 despite the hostile environment created by the crowd.
He capped off a year-long dream by winning his seventh Race to Dubai title, topping the DP World Tour’s achievement award for the fourth consecutive season.
Who were the other winners?
David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar, fathers of Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Aguiar, who were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in the summer of 2024, were awarded the Helen Rollason Award for their fundraising efforts at April’s London Marathon.
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood posed for a photo with Helen Rollazon Award winners Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe
The money raised went to a project set up in memory of Bebe King, who, like her daughters, also died in the attack. Bebe’s parents traveled to London to support Mr. Aguiar and Mr. Stancombe.
“I’m just a father keeping his promise to his little girl,” David Stancombe said while accepting his award.
Former Arsenal and France forward Thierry Henry was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by his four children, while pole vaulter Armand Duplantis was named World Sports Star of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Sarina Wigman, who led England to successfully defend their Women’s Euro title, was also awarded the Best Manager award when the Lionesses won on home soil in 2022.
Michel Agyeman, one of Wiegmann’s star players, won the Young Sports Personality of the Year award for his innovative performances at the Euros in the summer.
Book your round at the best price on one of our 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland
