Rory McIlroy stands on the brink of a unique personal triumph this Thursday night, with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) crown seemingly the final, fitting accolade for a truly historic sporting year.
A Year of Redemption and Historic Achievement
For the Northern Irish golfing superstar, 2025 has been a story of monumental redemption and career-defining success. In April, at his 17th attempt, McIlroy finally conquered Augusta National to win the Masters, an achievement that made him the first European golfer ever to complete the career Grand Slam. The emotional weight of that victory, after years of heartache and near-misses at the tournament, was palpable.
Then, in September, McIlroy transformed from a major champion into a talismanic leader. Amid a cauldron of noise and personal abuse from sections of the home crowd at Bethpage Black, New York, he spearheaded Team Europe to a rare away victory in the Ryder Cup, their first on American soil since 2012.
The SPOTY Curse for Golfers
Despite being the red-hot favourite for Thursday's public vote, held in Salford, history suggests victory is not guaranteed for a golfer. Only two golfers have ever won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award since its inception: Dai Rees in 1957 and Sir Nick Faldo in 1989.
McIlroy has been here before. In 2014, a year where he won two major championships including The Open, he finished runner-up to Formula 1's Lewis Hamilton. Fellow golfer Darren Clarke also came second in 2006, behind Zara Phillips. The public vote has often proven unpredictable for the sport's leading figures.
Why 2025 Must Be Different
The narrative surrounding McIlroy's candidacy this year, however, feels overwhelmingly powerful. His Masters triumph was widely seen as one of the great sporting comebacks, a lesson in perseverance. In his winner's speech, a tearful McIlroy directly addressed his young daughter, Poppy, saying: "Never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back. Keep working hard. And if you put your mind to it, you can do anything."
Reflecting on his annus mirabilis, McIlroy himself stated, "I don't think there will be a better year in my golfing career." This sentiment is shared by many observers who believe that if this unparalleled double of a career Grand Slam and a pivotal away Ryder Cup win is not enough to secure the SPOTY trophy, nothing ever will be for the 36-year-old.
Adding another layer to the evening, the Team of the Year Award will also be decided by public vote for the first time in SPOTY history. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has already mobilised support online for his victorious twelve-man squad.
While teammates like top points scorer Tommy Fleetwood, who also won the $10m FedEx Cup, would be strong contenders in any other year, the consensus is clear: 2025 belongs to Rory McIlroy. The BBC Sports Personality of the Year show airs live on BBC One at 7pm on Thursday, December 18.
