McIlroy pitch perfect as personality award caps year his dreams came true

Rory McIlroy named BBC Sports Personality of the Year to end golf’s drought. The Masters champion is the first golfer in 36 years to claim award

Rory McIlroy receives the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 award. Picture date: Thursday December 18, 2025.

A full-throated “Rory roar” reverberated around MediaCity in Salford as Rory McIlroy became the first golfer in 36 years to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award – and tie a bow on a year for the ages.

It was a fitting reward for the 36-year-old, who completed a career grand slam at the Masters in April and then led Europe to a thrilling Ryder Cup victory in New York, in the teeth of unrelenting hostility from American fans. For good measure, he also won the European Order of Merit too.