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 Northern Irishman achieved golfing immortality in April when he won the Masters at Augusta National to complete the set of all four major trophies.
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. 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,” McIlroy said after receiving the award.
“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.
England forward Chloe Kelly, Lionesses goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and darts player Luke Littler were also shortlisted for the award by a panel of experts, with the winner decided by a public vote.
McIlroy is just the third golfer to win Sports Personality, after Dai Rees in 1957 and Nick Faldo in 1989.
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.
“I have a lot of people to thank. Firstly, the public, my family, my mum and my dad. They sacrificed so much for me. I wouldn’t be here without them, so thank you,” McIlroy said.
“My wife Erica and my daughter Poppy, they are what holds me together. My rock. They couldn’t be here tonight but I can’t wait to get back tomorrow and celebrate this with them. I love you.
“And to the BBC for hosting these awards. It has always been something growing up that I watched on TV.
“It was always a big part of the run-up to Christmas, so I am very honoured to get my hands on this trophy.
“Hopefully I can challenge to get it again next year.”
Team Europe were voted the Team of the Year on Thursday after their Ryder Cup success, seeing off competition from England’s Euro 2025-winning women’s football team and England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup champions.
