The honour – one of Britain’s most recognisable sporting awards and decided partly by public vote – celebrates the athlete who has made the most outstanding impact in a calendar year across all sports.
McIlroy became only the sixth golfer in history to achieve the Grand Slam of all four major victories with his Masters win, in a season that also brought a Ryder Cup victory on foreign soil, multiple PGA Tour wins and a record seventh Race to Dubai title on the DP World Tour.
He topped a shortlist of six nominees, with England rugby union World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne finishing second and newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris placing third.
“2025 has been the year that I made my dreams come true, from Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between,” McIlroy said.
“It really has been the year that dreams are made.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for me as your Sports Personality of the Year. But my mum, my dad, they scarified so much for me and I wouldn’t be here without them.
“I’d like to congratulate all the other finalists, what you’ve all done this year, over the course of your careers, I know how much hard work and dedication it takes.”
McIlroy is the first golfer to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year since Nick Faldo in 1989.
