Northern Ireland hero Rory McIlroy spent over 20 hours in the air to support Thursday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year event but still showed how family remains number one for our global golf superstar.

Transatlantic return flights between the United States and United Kingdom allowed Rory to attend after Wednesday competition commitments then head back to Florida before taking his seat at a Friday boxing exhibition between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul as Northern Ireland’s fourth-ever winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year honour.

Joining Lady Mary Peters (1972), Barry McGuigan MBE (1985) and Sir Anthony McCoy (2010) on the list of home champions recognised by the broadcaster’s showpiece sporting ceremony established in 1954, Rory was in the spotlight for golf glory across 2025 that included a milestone Masters triumph and key role with Team Europe in Ryder Cup success.

But, in an emotional interview on Thursday with presenter Clare Balding, Rory confirmed enjoying jet-setting trappings of fame and awards recognition all come second to the hero from Holywood’s human touch.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (left) at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards with David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar. McIlroy was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, with the two men - each the father of a victim from last year's Southport tragedy - winners of The Helen Rollason Award recognising outstanding achievement in the face of adversity. Golf's Tommy Fleetwood (right) represented Europe's Ryder Cup success as Team of the Year champions. (Photo by David Davies/PA Wire)

When asked about how being a father to five-year-old daughter Poppy impacts on his outlook to those achievements in sport, the 36-year-old started to tear up and instead highlighted Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe.

The fathers of young girls killed last year at the Southport tragedy had earlier been announced as winners of the Helen Rollason Award after each completing the London Marathon in fund-raising efforts to establish legacies in memory of their daughters.

“I think being a father of a little girl, seeing Alice and Elsie's dads up there tonight, they are two absolute heroes,” said Rory, before having to stop and take a break due to his voice breaking.

He continued: “Being a dad, it makes the losses a lot easier, but it also makes the good moments even more special.”

Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Aguiar, 9, were murdered during an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last summer, along with six-year-old Bebe King.

Rory won Thursday’s public vote by beating England women’s rugby player Ellie Kildunne and Formula One world champion Lando Norris from the six-strong list of nominees.

At the trophy presentation in which he also thanked the public, Rory expanded on the importance of family as “his rock” after describing 2025 “the year that I made my dreams come true".

Rory said on stage, having this year become only the sixth person in golf history to complete the full set of major prizes: “From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything else in between, it really has been the year that dreams are made of.”

And he went on to add: “My family...my mum and dad (Rosie and Gerry), they sacrificed so much for me and I obviously wouldn’t be here without them.

"My wife Erica, my daughter Poppy...they’re what holds me together, my rock.

“They couldn’t be here tonight, they’re back in America. But I can’t wait to get back to see them tomorrow and celebrate this with them as well...so thank you for all your support, everything that you’ve done for me over the years.”