Sports Personality 2025 Live: McIlroy reveals top three and claims spectacular double

This is the moment Rory McIlroy was named Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 – with a huge accolade.

Rory McIlroy capped off a “year that dreams are made of” by adding Sports Personality of the Year awards to his memorable wins at the Masters and Ryder Cups after being named winner of the prestigious BBC award for the first time.

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman topped the public vote, beating England rugby star Ellie Kildun, who won the Women’s Rugby World Cup as the Red Roses, and newly-crowned F1 world champion Lando Norris, who came third.

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.

Read Jamie Braidwood’s full account of tonight’s ceremony:

what is the star of teen lioness here Michelle Agyemang Had this to say after winning Young Sports Personality of the Year ahead of Luke Littler and Davina Perrin

,Very good. thank you so much. I am very grateful. I am very grateful to all my teammates and coaches.

“To my family, who has supported me throughout this year and throughout my career – even though it’s been so short – I love you.

“As I always say, thank you so much to God for this opportunity because I don’t know where I would be today without him. And thank you all so much for being here and I’m so grateful. Thank you.”

Some good stats about Rory McIlroy’s win tonight.

He is the third golfer to win Sports Personality of the Year, following Dai Rees in 1957 and Sir Nick Faldo in 1989.

He is only the fourth athlete from Northern Ireland to win, following in the footsteps of Olympic pentathlon champion Lady Mary Peters in 1972, boxer Barry McGuigan in 1985 and jockey AP McCoy in 2010.

Fellow Northern Irishmen George Best, Darren Clarke, Willie John McBride, Alex Higgins and Jonathan Rea have also finished in the top three before.

Lovely moments too for Rory McIlroy and Ellie Kildune, who finished second in the voting.

Lando Norris finished third, with Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton and Luke Littler missing from the original shortlist of six.

Thank you very much on behalf of Rory McIlroy as he got a little emotional accepting the award. A brilliant moment for the Northern Irish golf sensation.

McIlroy says: “Wow. First of all, I want to congratulate all the other finalists here tonight. From 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 the sports personality of the year.

“Thank you to my family, my mom and dad. They sacrificed a lot 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 but come back to see them tomorrow and celebrate it with them too. So thank you for all your support, everything you’ve done for me over the years.

“Thank you to the BBC for hosting these awards. 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 the build-up to Christmas. So I’m very honored to have this trophy behind me.

“And hopefully I can challenge to get it again next year! But thank you all. It’s really been an honor and have a great evening.”

What a year it’s been for McIlroy – finally completing the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters and also capturing the Ryder Cup.

So that means this is what the Spotty 2025 top three looks like.

Here it comes…it is Rory McIlroy who won Sports Personality of the Year 2025.

No logic there. What a year, what a winner! Huge roar as soon as he came on stage!

Thierry Henry was the first to announce the runner up and he is Ellie Kildun! Red Roses Star finished second.

Rory vs. Lando for the main prize. The second one finished third.

Now onto the main award, the final award of the evening.

Will Rory McIlroy, Lando Norris or Ellie Kildunne be named Sports Personality of the Year for 2025?

Presented by last year’s winner Keely Hodgkinson and tonight’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner Thierry Henry.