In a poignant and emotional conclusion to a spectacular sporting year, Rory McIlroy has been crowned the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2025. The Northern Irish golfer, 36, finally claimed the prestigious public-vote prize, capping what he described as a "year dreams are made of" following major triumphs at the Masters and the Ryder Cup.
A Triumphant Year Culminates in Prestigious Honour
McIlroy saw off strong competition to top the public vote, finishing ahead of England rugby World Cup star Ellie Kildunne in second place and new Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris in third. This victory makes McIlroy only the third golfer ever to win the award and the first since Sir Nick Faldo in 1989.
The award serves as the perfect bookend to a remarkable 2025 for McIlroy. In April, he secured his place in golfing history by winning the Masters at Augusta National, completing the career Grand Slam and becoming just the sixth man ever to achieve the feat. He then played a pivotal role in Europe's Ryder Cup victory on American soil in September, leading the charge against a fiercely partisan crowd.
Emotional Acceptance Speech Highlights Family Sacrifice
Accepting the award at the ceremony in Salford, a visibly moved McIlroy paid tribute to his fellow nominees, his family, and the voting public. "2025 has been the year that my dreams came true from Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything else in between," he stated.
He became particularly emotional when thanking his family, highlighting the sacrifices made by his parents and the grounding support of his wife, Erica, and daughter, Poppy. His composure wavered earlier in the evening during a segment honouring the fathers of victims from the Southport stabbing, linking the moment to his own perspective as a father.
Further Accolades for Sporting Heroes
The night celebrated a host of British and international sporting excellence. McIlroy's Ryder Cup teammates collected the Team of the Year award, beating the England women's rugby team (the Red Roses) and the Lionesses, who successfully defended their European football title in Switzerland.
Other winners included Sarina Wiegman, named Coach of the Year for a second time, and young football talent Michelle Agyemang, who won the Young Sports Personality award. Arsenal icon Thierry Henry received a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis was again named World Sport Star of the Year.
For McIlroy, the award held deep personal significance, despite having previously referred to it as a "popularity contest." He made a point of attending this year's ceremony, contrasting with 2023 when he forgot he was nominated. "I remember growing up, looking forward to this night, watching it on TV... I’m just very honoured to get my hands on this trophy," he said, finally securing the BBC Sports Personality of the Year accolade that had eluded him earlier in his storied career.
