Rory McIlroy has been named the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year after an impressive season. With the win, the Northern Irishman became only the third golfer in history to receive the honour. He finished ahead of nominees including darts world champion Luke Littler, Formula One champion Lando Norris, Lionesses players Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton and Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne.

The win puts McIlroy in an exclusive club. Before him, only Dai Rees in 1957 and six-time major champion Nick Faldo in 1989 had won SPOTY, showing how rare it is for golfers to take the award.

BBC Sport shared a clip of McIlroy’s acceptance speech on X following the announcement. Thanking his fellow nominees, McIlroy said it was a privilege to be recognised alongside athletes who have shown such dedication throughout their careers. Reflecting on his year, he added:

“2025 has been the year that I made my dreams come true, from Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything else in between. It really has been the year that dreams are made of. I have a lot of people to thank, firstly the public, thank you for voting me as your Sportsperson of the Year, but my family, my mom and dad, you know, they sacrificed so much for me, and I obviously wouldn’t be here without them.” (0:38 onwards)

The win also marks a full-circle moment for McIlroy. Back in 2014, he finished second in the SPOTY voting despite winning two major titles, losing out to Lewis Hamilton. Other recent major champions, including Danny Willett, Georgia Hall and Matt Fitzpatrick, also struggled to gain traction in previous editions of the award.

Rory McIlroy’s 2025 season in review

Rory McIlroy enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2025. The 36-year-old finally completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April, edging Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta to finally claim the green jacket.

Rory McIlroy began the year with a solid tied-fourth finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic before securing his first win of the season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He followed that up with another major victory in March at The Players Championship.

The defining moment came a month later at Augusta, where Rory McIlroy again faced Rose in a playoff and came out on top. The win made him only the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam.

He also played an important role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, contributing three and a half points as the team defeated the United States in New York for their first away win in 13 years.

Rory McIlroy wrapped up the year by winning his seventh Race to Dubai title, finishing top of the DP World Tour Order of Merit for the fourth straight season and closing out a memorable year.