It's turn of the Mac

TIME FOR RORY TO BE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION

- BY NEIL McLEMAN

AFTER years of near misses and heartache, Rory Mcllroy 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.

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

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 total as swimming or eventing.

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

Darren Clarke finished runner-up to Zara Phillips in 2006.