Overview
- The BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be decided by a public vote at Thursday's live ceremony near Manchester.
- McIlroy’s 2025 included a Masters victory to complete the career Grand Slam, wins at The Players and Pebble Beach, titles at the Irish Open and DP World Tour Championship, and 3.5 points in Europe’s Ryder Cup win.
- Golf rarely prevails at SPOTY, with only Dai Rees (1957) and Nick Faldo (1989) previously winning the main award.
- His shortlisted rivals are F1 world champion Lando Norris, darts prodigy Luke Littler, rugby star Ellie Kildunne, and footballers Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton.
- Piers Morgan publicly argued McIlroy must win, while fellow nominee Luke Littler said McIlroy has no real chance and tipped Norris.