Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 following a season that delivered golfing immortality and Ryder Cup success.
The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland completed the career Grand Slam in April by winning the Masters at Augusta National, becoming just the sixth man, and the first European, to lift all four major championships.
McIlroy joined Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Gary Player in the sport’s most exclusive club, having already captured the US Open, The Open and the US PGA Championship by 2014.
His long wait to add the Green Jacket finally ended 11 years later.
“It’s the year I made my dreams come true,” McIlroy said. “From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between — it’s the year dreams are made of.”
He went on to play a pivotal role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, contributing three-and-a-half points as Luke Donald’s side claimed a first win on US soil since 2012.
OTHER 2025 SUCCESSES
McIlroy also enjoyed success closer to home, lifting the Irish Open for a second time, alongside victories at the Players Championship and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The year was capped by a seventh Race to Dubai title.
Just moments before collecting the sport’s biggest individual honour, McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood were also on stage to receive the Team of the Year award after Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph.
“I have a lot of people to thank — the public, my family, my mum and dad,” McIlroy added. “My wife Erica and my daughter Poppy are my rock. I can’t wait to get home and celebrate with them.”
RARE GOLFER WIN
McIlroy becomes only the third golfer to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year, following Dai Rees in 1957 and Nick Faldo in 1989. He is also the third Northern Irish winner, after Barry McGuigan and Sir AP McCoy.
England rugby star Ellie Kildunne finished second in the public vote, with Formula 1 driver Lando Norris third, while Europe’s Ryder Cup team beat strong competition to land the Team of the Year award.
