McIlroy ends 'dream year' by winning elusive trophy

Rory McIlroy ended the “year dreams are made of” by adding the Sports Personality of the Year award to his memorable triumphs at the Masters and Ryder Cup after being voted winner of the prestigious BBC prize for the first time.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman topped the public vote ahead of England rugby star Ellie Kildunne, who sparkled as the Red Roses won the Women's Rugby World Cup, and newly crowned F1 world champion Lando Norris, who was third.

McIlroy is just the third golfer to be named Sports Personality of the Year and the first since Sir Nick Faldo in 1989. It comes after McIlroy became just the sixth man to complete golf’s career grand slam by winning the Masters in April, as well as leading Europe’s charge to an away Ryder Cup victory against a ferociously hostile United States crowd in September.

To add to McIlroy’s night, Europe’s Ryder Cup team also won the public vote for Team of the Year, ahead of the Red Roses and the Lionesses, who defended their European crown in Switzerland to become the first England football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.

“First of all, I’d just like to congratulate all the other finalists here tonight,” McIlroy said as he accepted the award that previously eluded him in 2014 when he won back-to-back majors at the Open and PGA Championship but finished runner-up to Lewis Hamilton.

“What you've all done this year and over the course of your careers, I know how much hard work and dedication it takes. It’s a pleasure just to be in this room along with so many dedicated people.