An emotional Rory McIlroy was visibly moved as he honoured the families affected by the Southport killings during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony on Wednesday night.
An Emotional Tribute on a Major Night
The Northern Irish golfer, who was the favourite to win the prestigious award after a stellar year featuring Masters and Ryder Cup glory, became tearful during an interview segment. He paid a heartfelt tribute to what he described as the 'inspirational' fathers of two of the young girls murdered in the tragic attacks in Southport.
The moment provided a poignant and sombre highlight to the annual sports awards show, shifting the focus from pure sporting achievement to the human impact of real-world events.
A Year of Sporting Triumph
McIlroy's nomination came on the back of a remarkable 2025 season, where his major championship victory at the Masters was coupled with a pivotal role in Europe's Ryder Cup triumph. He was considered the frontrunner for the SPOTY award, facing competition from the likes of Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris and Lionesses star Chloe Kelly.
However, the evening's proceedings were punctuated by this powerful moment of reflection. The details of McIlroy's specific words to the fathers and the full context of the interview were still emerging at the time of the report.
A Night of Contrasting Emotions
The ceremony, held on 18 December 2025, expertly balanced the celebration of sporting excellence with a respectful acknowledgment of tragedy. McIlroy's genuine display of emotion resonated with the audience, reminding viewers of the platform sports stars have beyond their athletic endeavours.
As the broadcast continued, the sports world awaited the final result of the public vote to see if McIlroy would cap his incredible year with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy.
