Rory McIlroy to Attend BBC Sports Personality Awards After Past Snub
Golfer Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony this December in Manchester, marking his first appearance at the event in ten years.
The Northern Irish golfer has had an exceptional 2025 season, highlighted by a dramatic Masters victory and a key role in Europe’s historic Ryder Cup win. Although the BBC SPOTY nominees have yet to be announced, McIlroy is widely expected to be on the shortlist alongside Luke Littler, Chloe Kelly, and Lando Norris.
McIlroy’s Change of Heart
In an interview from January 2024, McIlroy had been dismissive of the BBC awards.
“Whenever I saw the results, I forgot I was nominated. So that’s how much I think about it. It’s not what it once was.”
Now, at 36, McIlroy has changed his stance, saying he will be part of the upcoming live ceremony.
“Yeah, the plan is to go. I have more chance of winning if I’m actually there and I recognise that with the audience the show attracts it could only be a good thing for the game. I suppose if I don’t win it this time, I never will.”
Golf’s History at SPOTY
Despite McIlroy's optimism, history is not on his side. Matt Fitzpatrick missed the shortlist entirely after his 2022 U.S. Open victory, and no golfer has claimed the award since Sir Nick Faldo in 1989.
Author’s Summary
After years of indifference, Rory McIlroy is set to attend the BBC Sports Personality Awards, hoping to end golf’s long drought since Faldo’s 1989 win.