Rory McIlroy has been named the winner of the prestigious BBC Award for the first time, adding the Sports Personality of the Year award to his memorable Masters and Ryder Cup wins, capping off a year of dreams.
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman topped the public vote ahead of England rugby star Ellie Kildon, who shone during the Red Roses’ victory in the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and newly crowned F1 World Champion Lando Norris (third place).
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McIlroy is the third golfer to be named Sports Personality of the Year, and the first since Sir Nick Faldo in 1989. It comes after McIlroy won the Masters in April, becoming only the sixth golfer to complete a career Grand Slam, and led Europe to a Ryder Cup victory against a fiercely hostile American crowd away in September.
McIlroy receives the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 award from last year’s winner Keeley Hodgkinson (David Davies/PA Wire)
Adding to McIlroy’s night, Europe’s Ryder Cup team were also voted team of the year by the public, beating out the Red Roses and Lionesses to defend their European crown in Switzerland and becoming the first English football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.
“First of all, I’d like to congratulate all the other finalists here tonight,” McIlroy said as he accepted the award that had previously eluded him in 2014, when he won back-to-back majors at the British Open and PGA Championship but finished runner-up to Lewis Hamilton.
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“I know how much hard work and dedication it takes to do what you’ve done this year and throughout your career. It’s an honor just 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 was the year dreams were made.
“Thank you to the public who voted for me for this year’s Sports Personality of the Year. Thank you to my family, my father and mother. They have sacrificed so much for me and without them I obviously wouldn’t be here. My wife, Erica, my daughter, Poppy. They keep me connected. They can’t be here tonight, but I can’t wait to go back and see them tomorrow and celebrate this with them. So thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the years.”
Rory McIlroy wins the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for the first time after several near-misses early in his career (David Davies/PA Wire)
World darts champion Luke Littler and Lionesses stars Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton were also nominated for major awards, but it was somewhat of a surprise that the England player did not make it into the top three of the public vote after winning Euro 2025. Beth Mead and Mary Earps had previously won Sports Personality of the Year after the team’s successful summer.
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But there was some recognition for the Lionesses, with Sarina Wiegman named Coach of the Year for the second time, ahead of European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell, while breakout England striker Michelle Agyeman, 19, beat Littler to be named Young Sports Personality of the Year.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Swedish pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis was named World Sports Star of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Ellie Kildon played a starring role in England’s victory at the Rugby World Cup as they finished runners-up (David Davies/PA Wire)
Tommy Fleetwood also joined McIlroy on stage after the European golfers won Team of the Year with their Ryder Cup win over the US (David Davis/PA Wire)
But the night belonged to McIlroy, who became emotional early in the ceremony after a segment in which he paid tribute to Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe, the fathers of two of the three girls killed in last year’s Southport stabbing. Mr. Aguiar, father of Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Mr. Stancombe, father of Elsie Dot Stancombe, were awarded the Helen Rollason Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Face of Adversity after completing the London Marathon in honor of their daughters’ lives.
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Asked by BBC presenter Claire Balding how becoming a father has changed the way he views his achievements, McIlroy can’t help but think of his young daughter Poppy, who was at Augusta winning her first Masters.
A visibly moved McIlroy paused and said: “When I see Alice and Elsie’s dad up there tonight, I think about it as a father of a little girl. They’re absolute heroes.”
Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe posing for a photo with their award after winning the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award (David Davies/PA Wire)
McIlroy ended his acceptance speech by revealing how much this year’s Sports Personality Award meant to him. McIlroy, 36, previously described the event as a “popularity contest” and revealed he had forgotten he was nominated the last time he made it to the shortlist in 2023. McIlroy also seems to have accepted that he won’t be able to win if he doesn’t win this year, and has made sure to come to Salford for the awards ceremony to improve his chances.
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“I remember when I was a kid looking forward to this night and watching the game on TV and seeing who would win was always a big part of the lead-up to Christmas,” McIlroy said. “So I’m really honored to have this trophy. I hope I can try to win it again next year! But thank you everyone. It’s a real honor.”
