Rory McIlroy Wins SPOTY 2025, Eyes More Success in 2026

Rory McIlroy has been named Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 after a season of rare milestones and big team success. The Northern Ireland star says there is still more to achieve and is excited for what lies ahead in 2026.

McIlroy clinched the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters at Augusta National in a dramatic playoff, adding a first green jacket to his collection. The victory came in 2025, 14 years after he led at Augusta in 2011 and looked poised to win before a late stumble.

He then played a key role for Europe in the Ryder Cup, contributing three and a half points as Europe beat the United States for the first time on American soil since 2012.

Speaking to INLIBER Sport NI, McIlroy said, "I don't know what I'm going to do in 2026 to top it, but I'm going to try." He added that a brief off-season is an opportunity to relive the highlights and recharge, while staying focused on future goals.

Beyond Augusta, McIlroy also collected his seventh Race to Dubai title in 2025, and his fourth in a row. He is now one title behind European Tour great Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight, and he did not rule out chasing that mark in 2026, provided health holds up.

Asked about his long career—18 years on the tour—McIlroy emphasized his enduring enthusiasm for golf and the importance of drive over accolades. "Majors, more Ryder Cups, all that is great, but as long as you still feel you have that drive to improve, that’s what matters," he said, echoing a sentiment shared by peers like Tommy Fleetwood.

McIlroy accepted the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year award at a ceremony in Salford on Thursday. Fleetwood joined him to collect the Team of the Year prize for Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph.

Expert comment

Expert comment: A leading golf analyst notes that McIlroy’s year highlights his consistency across majors and team events and his readiness to chase more records. With continued health and motivation, he could extend his legacy in both individual and team formats.

Summary

Summary: McIlroy's 2025 season cemented his status as one of golf’s all-time greats, sealing the career Grand Slam and lifting Europe to Ryder Cup glory. The year also showcased his ongoing pursuit of records and longevity on tour. His remarks point to a busy 2026 with majors, more Ryder Cups, and potential title targets.

Key insight: McIlroy’s 2025 season blends historic individual success with team triumph, reinforcing a forward-looking mindset for future goals. Source: BBC Sport

Discover the latest news and current events in Sports News as of 19-12-2025. The article titled " Rory McIlroy Wins SPOTY 2025, Eyes More Success in 2026 " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the Sports News field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.

The information in " Rory McIlroy Wins SPOTY 2025, Eyes More Success in 2026 " helps you make better-informed decisions within the Sports News category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.