Rory McIlroy shortlisted for 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Rory McIlroy has been shortlisted for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, capping a career-defining season in which he completed the Grand Slam, inspired Europe to their first away Ryder Cup victory since 2012, and secured a seventh Race to Dubai crown.

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With statement victories at Pebble Beach, THE PLAYERS Championship and the Amgen Irish Open adding further weight to his year, McIlroy has undoubtedly produced one of the defining sporting stories of 2025.

“It’s the best year of my career, the best year of my life,” he said in September.

For more than a decade, McIlroy’s pursuit of the Green Jacket at Augusta National had been the central narrative of his career. In April, that long wait finally ended, defeating Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose in a dramatic play-off to become only the sixth man in history to win all four men’s Majors.

The evident emotion after his winning putt, dropping to his knees before letting out a roar that echoed around Augusta, reflected the release of more than 11 years of pressure and expectation.

“I think I've carried that burden since August 2014. It's nearly 11 years,” McIlroy said in his winner’s press conference.

“And not just about winning my next Major, but the career Grand Slam. You know, trying to join a group of five players to do it, you know, watching a lot of my peers get Green Jackets in the process.

“It was a heavy weight to carry, and thankfully now I don't have to carry it and it frees me up and I know I'm coming back here every year, which is lovely.”

His Masters triumph arrived in the middle of an already successful season. Strong early-season form, including a tie for fourth at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, set the foundation for his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he held off close Ryder Cup teammates Rose and Shane Lowry. A month later he added THE PLAYERS Championship, prevailing in a three-hole Monday play-off against JJ Spaun at TPC Sawgrass.

Following Augusta, McIlroy thrilled home fans with a second victory at the Amgen Irish Open before turning his attention to Bethpage and the Ryder Cup. There, he proved himself once again as a leader for Team Europe, contributing 3½ points from five matches as he helped end a 13-year-wait for victory on American soil, with Luke Donald’s men becoming only the fifth European team to win away from home.

McIlroy carried that momentum into the season finale at the DP World Tour Championship. A dramatic final-hole eagle forced a play-off with Matt Fitzpatrick, and although he was edged out to the tournament title, his performance secured a seventh Race to Dubai crown. The achievement saw him surpass the late, great Seve Ballesteros and moved him to within one of Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record.

McIlroy’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year nomination crowns this remarkable run and comes shortly after he received his sixth Association of Golf Writers Trophy, awarded to the golfer or team who has made the most outstanding contribution to the sport over the past year. Now, has a chance to become just the third golfer in history to claim the accolade, following Dai Rees in 1957 and Sir Nick Faldo in 1989.

Voting remains open at bbc.co.uk/spoty until midday on Sunday 14 December, with the winner announced live during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm on Thursday 18 December.