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Rory McIlroy Ended “Years Dreams Are Made Of” by adding sports personality of the year He was chosen as the first-time winner of the prestigious BBC award in recognition of his memorable victories at the Masters and Ryder Cups.
36-year-old Northern Irishman tops public vote ahead of England rugby star ellie kildunWho shone as the Red Roses won the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and were recently crowned F1 World Champions lando norrisWhich was in third place.
McIlroy is the third golfer to be named Sports Personality of the Year and the first since Sir Nick Faldo in 1989. It came as McIlroy became just the sixth man to complete golf’s career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April, as well as leading Europe to a Ryder Cup victory against a staunchly hostile United States crowd in September.
To add to McIlroy’s night, Europe’s Ryder Cup team also won the public vote for Team of the Year, ahead of the Red Roses and Lionesses, who defended their European crown in Switzerland and became the first England football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.
“First of all, I want to congratulate all the other finalists here tonight,” McIlroy said as he accepted the award, which he had not received before in 2014, when he won back-to-back majors at the Open and PGA Championships, but was runner-up to Lewis Hamilton.
“After what you all have done this year and throughout your careers, I know how much hard work and dedication it takes. It’s a pleasure to be in this room with so many dedicated people.
“2025 has been the year my dreams came true from Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything else in between. This is truly the year dreams are made of.
“Thank you to the public for voting me as Sports Celebrity of the Year. Thank you to my family, my mom and dad. They sacrificed so much for me and I obviously wouldn’t be here without them. My wife, Erica. My daughter, Poppy. They’re what keeps me together, my rocks. They couldn’t be here tonight, they’re back in America, but I can’t wait to see them tomorrow and celebrate it with them. So thank you to all of you for the support, everything that You’ve done that for me for years.”
world darts champion luke littler and lioness stars chloe kelly And hannah hampton were also nominated for the main award and it was a surprise that no England player made the top three of the public vote following their Euro 2025 victory. Beth Mead and Mary Earps previously won the Sports Personality of the Year award after a successful summer for the team.
However, there was some recognition for the lioness Sarina Wigman The breakout England striker was named coach of the year for the second time, ahead of Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell. Michelle Agyemang 19, defeating Littler to win the Young Sports Personality of the Year title.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was honored with a lifetime achievement award and Sweden’s pole vault king Mondo Duplantis made back-to-back World Sports Star of the Year awards.
But the night belonged to McIlroy, who became emotional after a segment at the start of the ceremony which paid tribute to Sergio Aguirre and David Stancombe, the fathers of two of the three girls killed in last year’s Southport knife attack. Mr. Aguiar, father of Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Mr. Stancombe, father of Elsie Dot Stancombe, were recipients of the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity after completing the London Marathon to honor the lives of their daughters.
McIlroy was asked by BBC presenter Claire Balding how being a father had changed the way he looked at his achievements and he was delighted when he thought about his young daughter Poppy, who was at Augusta when he won the Masters for the first time.
McIlroy, clearly impressed, paused and said: “I think being the father of a little girl, seeing Alice and Elsie’s father there tonight – they’re two absolute heroes.”
McIlroy concluded his acceptance speech by stating how much the Sports Personality of the Year award meant to him. The 36-year-old had previously The event was called a “popularity contest”. And revealed that when he was last shortlisted in 2023 he had forgotten that he was nominated. McIlroy also seemed to accept that he would never win the award if he didn’t do it this year – and made sure he was in Salford for the ceremony to boost his chances.
“I remember growing up, looking forward to this night, watching it on TV, seeing who was going to win, it was always a big part of Christmas Eve,” McIlroy said. “So I’m very honored to have this trophy in my hands and hopefully I can challenge to get it again next year! But thank you to everyone. It’s really an honour.”