Rory McIlroy crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year after Masters victory
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Besides his Masters win, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy played a key role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph, and added victories at the Irish Open and the Players Championship.
PHOTO: AFP
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- Rory McIlroy won BBC Sports Personality of the Year after completing a career Grand Slam at the Masters in 2025.
- Ellie Kildunne, who led England to a Rugby World Cup win, finished second; Lando Norris, Formula 1 champion, was third.
- McIlroy called 2025 his dream year, including Masters, Ryder Cup, Irish Open, and Players Championship victories.
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LONDON – Rory McIlroy was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Dec 18 after completing the career Grand Slam with a long-awaited Masters triumph.
England rugby union standout Ellie Kildunne finished second and Formula One world champion Lando Norris placed third in the public vote.
McIlroy won the Masters at Augusta National in April, becoming only the sixth man – and first European – to complete the full set of Major championships.
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman also played a key role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph, while adding victories at the Irish Open in front of his home fans, and the Players Championship.
He won the US Open, The Open and PGA Championship by 2014 but had to wait another 11 years to add the Green Jacket.
“2025 has been the year I made my dreams come true,” McIlroy said.
“From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between. It’s the year dreams are made of.”
Kildunne led England to a 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cuptriumph, scoring five tries during the tournament.
The 26-year-old full-back, who plays for Harlequins Women at club level as well as the Red Roses, was named the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in 2024.
Norris claimed his first Formula One drivers’ championship following dramatic late-season battles, ending Max Verstappen’s four-year reign and helping McLaren secure the constructors’ title for their first championship double since 1998.
Meanwhile, McIlroy also announced that his TGL team has a new member.
He tabbed Michael Thorbjornsen to join Boston Common Golf in the tech-infused indoor golf league.
“We have a new member of the team who I practiced with this morning, Michael Thorbjornsen,” McIlroy said.
“I am breaking some news! So we have some fresh blood. I think that could make the difference.”
When asked why he felt the need to add Thorbjornsen, McIlroy noted that Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott are “world travelers” and would not be available.
“Hideki will be in Japan and Adam will be in Australia for the first game we play on Jan 2 (versus Los Angeles Golf Club),” he said. “So Michael has come in and it’s going to be Michael, Keegan (Bradley) and myself. We are feeling pretty good!”
Thorbjornsen, 24, is still seeking his first win after making 45 starts on the PGA Tour. He does have a second-place finish at this year’s Corales Puntacana Championship under his belt. REUTERS
