Editorial: Rory McIlroy basks in the deserved UK-wide recognition of him as one of the best ever golfers

​Rory McIlroy’s deserved win in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shows that the Holywood golfer has earned a place in the affections of the entire nation.

This year, 2025 has been, in his own words, “the year dreams are made of” – after a string of successes on the global stage.

After so many occasions when he just missed out, the down-to-earth Northern Irishman finally secured the career Grand Slam in the Masters at Augusta National back in April.

He then played a key role in Europe’s victory over the United States in the Ryder Cup.

Northern Ireland has had many sporting heroes down the years. George Best, Alex Higgins, Dame Mary Peters, Pat Jennings, Joey Dunlop, Barry McGuigan and Carl Frampton are just a few of the names who have united and inspired us with their sporting achievements. But actually very few of them have picked up the BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy – Mary Peters did, for example, but the brilliant George Best was only a runner-up.

Given his extraordinary career, Rory McIlroy has long been among those greats. He is one of the only people ever to have won all four of golf’s grand slam tournaments – the US Open, the PGA, the Open and, earlier this year, the Masters.

But Sports Personality is, in many ways, a popularity contest and does not always go to those who have achieved the most. In this instance it did, and the recognition from the public, right across the UK, clearly touched Rory.

Humble, he thanked everyone who had voted for him, and his parents for the sacrifices they had made to help him get to where he is today. Rory has been a wonderful ambassador for Northern Ireland throughout his career. And it very likely there will be more to come from the determined Co Down champion.