McIlroy Topped BBC Sports activities Character of the 12 months After Grand Slam Glory

Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Sports activities Character of the 12 months 2025 following a season that delivered {golfing} immortality and Ryder Cup success.

The 36-year-old from Northern Eire accomplished the profession Grand Slam in April by successful the Masters at Augusta Nationwide, changing into simply the sixth man, and the primary European, to raise all 4 main championships.

McIlroy joined Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Gary Participant within the sport’s most unique membership, having already captured the US Open, The Open and the US PGA Championship by 2014.

His lengthy wait so as to add the Inexperienced Jacket lastly ended 11 years later.

“It’s the 12 months I made my desires come true,” McIlroy mentioned. “From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and the whole lot in between — it’s the 12 months desires are product of.”

He went on to play a pivotal position in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, contributing three-and-a-half factors as Luke Donald’s aspect claimed a primary win on US soil since 2012.

OTHER 2025 SUCCESSES

McIlroy additionally loved success nearer to dwelling, lifting the Irish Open for a second time, alongside victories on the Gamers Championship and the AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am. The 12 months was capped by a seventh Race to Dubai title.

Simply moments earlier than accumulating the game’s largest particular person honour, McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood have been additionally on stage to obtain the Workforce of the 12 months award after Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph.

“I’ve lots of people to thank — the general public, my household, my mum and pa,” McIlroy added. “My spouse Erica and my daughter Poppy are my rock. I can’t wait to get dwelling and rejoice with them.”

RARE GOLFER WIN

McIlroy turns into solely the third golfer to win BBC Sports activities Character of the 12 months, following Dai Rees in 1957 and Nick Faldo in 1989. He’s additionally the third Northern Irish winner, after Barry McGuigan and Sir AP McCoy.

England rugby star Ellie Kildunne completed second within the public vote, with System 1 driver Lando Norris third, whereas Europe’s Ryder Cup staff beat robust competitors to land the Workforce of the 12 months award.