Rory McIlroy Leads Six-Name SPOTY Shortlist As Favourite

December 11, 2025

Career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy is officially the favourite to be crowned the 2025 Sports Personality Of The Year.

The five-time major champion is one of six shortlisted names, with the Northern Irish golfer favourite in the latest SPOTY odds market.

Rory McIlroy Favourite To Lift SPOTY Crown

It’s fair to say that 2025 has been a phenomenal year in the life and career of Rory McIlroy.

Although McIlroy is prioritising family time this Christmas, he may have to make an exception on December 18 to potentially pick up one more accolade before the turn of the year.

The five-time major champion made history back in April as he won the Masters at Augusta National for the very first time, becoming just the sixth golfer in history and first since Tiger Woods to complete the career Grand Slam.

As well as being crowned Masters champion, McIlroy won several other tournaments including The Players Championship, Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Irish Open.

He's in your head…☘️@McIlroyRory is shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

You can vote during the live awards show on Thursday 18 December from 1900 GMT on BBC One & iPlayer. pic.twitter.com/54DvdTNByi

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) December 11, 2025

He also has several strong finishes in multiple tournaments around the world, capping it off by claiming a seventh Race to Dubai title in the season-long DP World Tour tournament.

The Northern Irishman also played a major part in helping Europe defeat America on their own patch at the 2025 Ryder Cup. McIlroy was integral to Europe’s success at Bethpage Black, with Luke Donald’s side winning back-to-back Ryder Cup’s over the US and first away from home since 2012.

The success mightn’t be done yet for the 36-year-old either, with McIlroy favourite for SPOTY.

The golf star has been favourite with price-setters for a while now, but this has been further enhanced now with McIlroy still leading the odds market following SPOTY being reduced to a six-name shortlist.

I gave it everything….

Congratulations @McIlroyRory on winning the @TheMasters and completing the Grand Slam.. very cool sharing the green with you in that moment…

Thank you Team🌹 as always for all the support during the week… We go again 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/vLtMSEFxAs

— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) April 14, 2025

Rory McIlroy Shortlisted For Sports Personality Of The Year

Rory McIlroy has been favourite in the 2025 Sports Personality Of The Year odds ever since he won a fifth major and completed golf’s career Grand Slam back in April at the Masters.

The Northern Irishman’s tag as favourite has been further enhanced following the six-name shortlist being confirmed for SPOTY a week before the actual awards ceremony.

McIlroy was second most googled athlete in the world this year behind boxer Terence Crawford, which goes to show his insane popularity all around the globe.

This has been reflected by SPOTY, who have shortlisted him for the award. McIlroy is one of six nominees, alongside two other male athletes and three female athletes.

🗣️ REVEALED!

The 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year contenders are:

🌟 @hannahhampton_
🌟 @chloekelly
🌟 @elliekildunne
🌟 @LukeTheNuke180
🌟 @McIlroyRory
🌟 @LandoNorris

You can vote during the live awards show on Thursday 18 December from 1900 GMT on BBC One &… pic.twitter.com/3wmLfXKkSc

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 11, 2025

F1 driver Lando Norris is McIlroy’s nearest competitor in the latest odds, having just won the drivers’ championship for the 2025 season becoming just the 11th Brit to do so.

World number one and reigning world champion Luke Littler has also been shortlisted, as has Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne.

England footballer Chloe Kelly, who won the European Championship and Champions League this year, is another shortlisted nominee.

The other is Hannah Hampton, who was voted the world’s best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or awards having saved two penalties in the European Championship Final as England’s ladies triumphed.