Try GOLD - Free
Par for the course? Why Ryder Cup hero McIlroy may miss Spoty cut once again
The Guardian
|December 18, 2025
It has been a 2025 for the ages for Rory McIlroy. He cemented his legacy by completing a career grand slam with victory at the Masters.
Then he carried Europe on his back at the Ryder Cup, defying the venom and spite of a braying Maga crowd. Now, though, he has one final devilish sandtrap to navigate: the curse of golf at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year (Spoty) award.
Only twice in the 71-year history of the event has a golfer claimed the honour: the Welshman Dai Rees in 1957, when he captained Great Britain and Ireland to Ryder Cup success, and the Englishman Nick Faldo, following his Masters success in 1989. It is a pitiful return. Especially given athletics stars have won it 19 times, Formula One drivers eight, and football and tennis players seven.
"I suppose if I don't win it this time, I never will," McIllroy admitted recently. But while he is a piping-hot favourite to win the award, he has been stung before. In 2014 he was even more strongly fancied for Spoty glory, having won back-to-back majors, only to be pipped by Lewis Hamilton. When a sheepish Hamilton accepted the award, he told McIllroy: "I really wasn't expecting it, because, dude, you had such an incredible year."
This story is from the December 18, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Albanese announces plan to tackle 'hate preachers' after terror attack
Australia’s hate speech laws will be expanded to directly target “hate preachers” under a new push to stamp out antisemitism, as the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, conceded more could have been done to combat anti-Jewish sentiment ahead of the Bondi beach massacre.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
EU leaders race to reach deal on funding Ukraine
European Union leaders are racing to secure a funding deal for Ukraine that has been cast as a choice between “money today or blood tomorrow”, as Belgium comes under rising pressure over its opposition to a loan secured against Russia's frozen assets.
1 min
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
England's hopes melt away in sun as Cummins glows with authority
Tourists teetering 158 behind after Australia captain leads fine bowling display by hosts
4 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Stay home if you have symptoms of flu, say experts amid fears of second surge
People should stay home over the Christmas period if they have symptoms of flu or Covid, experts have warned, amid fears flu cases could surge again in the new year.
2 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Reform Farage avoids inquiry into electoral spending claims
Nigel Farage has avoided investigation over claims that his general election campaign breached electoral law last year.
1 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Traffic to hit record levels in run-up to Christmas
Britain’s roads and runways will take a festive pounding today as traffic peaks before Christmas and record numbers head to the skies.
1 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Duke accused of strangling estranged wife
The Duke of Marlborough has been accused of strangling his estranged wife.
1 min
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Ryder Cup hero McIlroy wins Sports Personality of the Year
A full-throated “Rory Roar” reverberated around MediaCity in Salford last night as Rory McIlroy became the first golfer in 36 years to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award - and tie a bow on a year for the ages.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Reiners' cause of death is given as 'multiple sharp force injuries'
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has released reports stating the cause of death of the film director Rob Reiner and his wife, the photographer Michele Singer Reiner.
1 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Author says schools should use thrillers to build reading skills
Too much of the literature taught in UK schools puts children off reading and thrillers should become part of the curriculum, one of the world's biggest-selling authors has argued.
2 mins
December 19, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size