Rory McIlroy ended “the year dreams are made of” by adding the Sports Personality of the Year award for his memorable triumphs at the Masters and Ryder Cup after being voted winner of the prestigious BBC award for the first time.
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman came top of the public vote ahead of the English rugby star. Ellie Kildunnewho shone when the Red Roses won the Women’s Rugby World Cup and who has just been crowned F1 world champion Lando Norriswho was third.
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McIlroy is only the third golfer to be named Sports Personality of the Year and the first since Sir Nick Faldo in 1989. It comes after McIlroy became the sixth man to complete the grand slam of his golf career by winning the Masters in April, and leading the European charge to an away Ryder Cup victory against a fiercely hostile American crowd in September.
McIlroy receives the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 award from last year’s winner Keely Hodgkinson (PA)
To add to McIlroy’s night, the European Ryder Cup team also won the public vote for team of the year, ahead of the Red Roses and Lionesses, who defended their European crown in Switzerland to become the first English football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.
“First of all, I would just like to congratulate all the other finalists here tonight,” McIlroy said as he accepted the award that eluded him in 2014 when he won back-to-back majors at the Open and PGA Championship but finished second to Lewis Hamilton.
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“What you all have done this year and throughout your career, I know how much hard work and dedication it takes. It’s a pleasure to be in this room with so many dedicated people.
“2025 was the year my dreams came true, from Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between. It truly is the year dreams are made of.
“Thank you to the public for voting me Sports Personality of the Year. Thank you to my family, my mother and my father. They have sacrificed so much for me and I obviously wouldn’t be here without them. My wife, Erica. My daughter, Poppy. They are what hold me together, my rocks. They couldn’t be here tonight, they are back in America but I can’t wait to come back and see them tomorrow and celebrate with them too. So thank you for all your support, everything you have done for me at over the years.
Rory McIlroy wins after several near misses earlier in his career (PA)
World Darts Champion Luc Littler and the Star Lionesses Chloe Kelly And Hannah Hampton were also nominated for the main prize and it was somewhat surprising that neither England player made the top three in the public vote following their victory at Euro 2025. Beth Mead and Mary Earps had already won the Sports Personality of the Year award after a successful summer for the team.
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The Lionesses have, however, benefited from some recognition, with Sarah Wiegman named Coach of the Year for the second time ahead of European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell, while England forward Michelle Agyemang, 19, beat Littler for Young Sports Personality of the Year.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Swedish pole vault king Mondo Duplantis won back-to-back World Sport Star of the Year awards.
Ellie Kildunne finished second after playing a major role in England’s Rugby World Cup (PA) victory.
Tommy Fleetwood joined McIlroy on stage after European golfers won Team of the Year for their Ryder Cup victory over the United States (PA).
But the night belonged to McIlroy, who became emotional earlier in the ceremony after a segment paying tribute to Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe, the fathers of two of the three girls killed in last year’s Southport stabbing. Mr Aguiar, the father of Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Mr Stancombe, the father of Elsie Dot Stancombe, were presented with the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity after completing the London Marathon to honor the lives of their daughters.
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BBC presenter Clare Balding asked McIlroy how being a father had changed his perspective on his achievements – he gushed when thinking of his young daughter Poppy, who was at Augusta as he won the Masters for the first time.
A visibly emotional McIlroy paused and said: “I think as a father of a little girl, seeing Alice and Elsie’s father up there tonight, they are two absolute heroes.”
L to R: Rory McIlroy, David Stancombe, Sergio Aguiar and Tommy Fleetwood (PA)
McIlroy ended his acceptance speech by revealing how much the Sports Personality of the Year award meant to him. The 36-year-old man had already called the event a “popularity contest” and revealed he forgot he was nominated when he was last selected in 2023. McIlroy also appeared to accept he would never win the award if he didn’t do it this year – and made sure he was in Salford for the ceremony to boost his chances.
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“I remember growing up, looking forward to this night, watching it on TV, seeing who was going to win, it was always a big part of the build-up to Christmas,” McIlroy said. “So I’m very honored to put my hands on this trophy behind me and I hope I can fight for it again next year! But thank you everyone. It’s truly an honor.”
