McIlroy Wins BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2025

Golfer Rory McIlroy has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 after clinching the career Grand Slam and playing a key role in Europe’s Ryder Cup win.

The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland achieved golfing immortality in April when he won the Masters at Augusta National to complete the set of all four majors.

He became just the sixth man – and first European – to achieve the Slam, joining Americans Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, and South Africa’s Gary Player, in accomplishing the feat.

Having won the US Open, The Open and US PGA Championship by 2014, McIlroy had to wait another 11 years to make his “dreams come true”.

He then played a key role in Europe’s first Ryder Cup win in the United States since 2012, contributing three and a half points to his team’s triumph.

McIlroy also delighted his home crowd by winning the Irish Open for a second time, with further successes at the Players Championship and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, before topping off a stellar year with his seventh Race to Dubai title.

“Wow,” McIlroy said after receiving the award. “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 rugby union player Ellie Kildunne came second, with Formula 1 driver Lando Norris in third.

The Holywood-born McIlroy is the third Northern Irishman to win the award, following boxer Barry McGuigan in 1985 and jockey Sir AP McCoy in 2010.