GLORY McIlroy

Rampant Rory must win SPOTY after epic year... or he never will

- BY NEIL McLEMAN

AFTER years of near misses and heartache, Rory Mcilroy will finally get the chance for sporting redemption tonight.

This time it is not the Masters, where the Ulsterman became the first European to complete a career Grand Slam in April.

Nor the Ryder Cup, where he led Team Europe to a rare away win amid the New York din in September.

McIlroy has to win the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year (SPOTY) in Salford. If he doesn't triumph after his unforgettable year, then he never will.

But even being the red-hot favourite is no guarantee of golfing success in this public vote.

Only two golfers have ever won SPOTY - the same for swimming and eventing.

First there was Dai Rees back in 1957 and then Sir Nick Faldo in 1989 (inset).