Golf cleans up as Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald earn coveted SJA Awards

Golf was front and centre at the 2025 Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) British Sports Awards, as Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald claimed two of the ceremony’s biggest honours on a night that shone a bright light on British sporting excellence.

Broadcast live for the second straight year from the Sky Sports News studio, the country’s longest-running celebration of sport recognised heroes across 12 categories – but it was McIlroy’s dominance and Donald’s leadership that defined the evening.

McIlroy crowned Sportsman of the Year after dream season

Fresh from completing one of the greatest seasons of his career, McIlroy, 36, was named Sportsman of the Year, a fitting reward for a campaign that saw him finally conquer Augusta and etch his name into golf history.

McIlroy became just the sixth player in the modern era to complete the career grand slam, thanks to a long-awaited victory at The Masters. He also won three times on the PGA Tour and added a second Irish Open title on home soil at The K Club. 

The World No.2 then played a talismanic role in Europe’s Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black, collecting 3.5 points from five sessions as Europe sealed their first away victory since 2012 – and one of the most emotionally charged triumphs in the competition’s history.

“It’s a great honour to be recognised at any time, but to be recognised by the people that cover sport and be named Sportsman of the Year is a really cool honour and accolade,” McIlroy said. “I’m very proud to be the recipient in 2025.”

It now remains to be seen whether McIlroy will become the first golfer in 36 years to lift BBC Sports Personality of the Year next month. 

McIlroy’s brilliance could yet continue this week at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, where he’ll chase a fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title and a seventh overall – just one shy of Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record.

Earlier in the day, the DP World Tour also announced the creation of the Rory McIlroy Award, a new annual honour launching in 2026 to recognise the player who performs best across all four majors. Appropriately, McIlroy himself will be ineligible – a rare case of a trophy named after someone whose influence has already transcended the competition.

Donald honoured for back-to-back Ryder Cup heroics

While McIlroy owned the fairways, Donald, 47, was recognised for his brilliance behind the ropes, receiving the Services to Sport – Off the Field award following his back-to-back Ryder Cup victories as Europe’s captain.

Donald became the first European skipper since Tony Jacklin in 1989 to win consecutive Cups, masterminding another masterclass in team unity, trust and precision – this time away on American soil at Bethpage Black.

“It’s an incredible recognition,” Donald said after receiving his SJA award. “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone that was involved with the Ryder Cup. To my players, of course – they played magnificently. To my vice captains, to all the support staff – without their support, nothing would be possible. The Ryder Cup is an amazing event, and to win away in New York, in a tough environment, was very, very satisfying. To see the players bring their best and go against all the odds, and come out on top, was truly satisfying. That is what drives me as a captain, and I hope this Ryder Cup is an inspiration to everyone watching golf, and hopefully to some future superstars.”

Donald now has a decision to make over whether to lead Europe again in 2027 at Adare Manor. 

Should he stay on, he could become the first captain in Ryder Cup history to win three on the bounce. 

The DP World Tour and Ryder Cup Europe have given him time to discuss the decision with his wife Diane, while Francesco Molinari is understood to be the leading candidate if Donald steps aside.

Donald dropped his biggest hint yet over the captaincy last week. 

Golf dominates Britain’s biggest sporting celebration

The SJA British Sports Awards – first held in 1949 – are voted for by more than 700 sports writers, editors, photographers and broadcasters, recognising the very best across British sport. 

That both McIlroy and Donald topped the list is a clear reminder that golf remains one of the nation’s most powerful sporting exports.

For the second consecutive year, the ceremony aired live from the Sky Sports News studio, with awards spanning from football and rugby to athletics, cycling and boxing.

Other winners on the night included BBC SPOTY favourite and England Women's footballer Chloe Kelly winning Sportswoman of the Year, the Lionesses winning Team of the Year, and cycling's Geraint Thomas also won the SJA Chairman's Award. 

Full list of 2025 SJA British Sports Awards winners

A proud night for British golf

On a night that celebrated excellence across all corners of British sport, McIlroy and Donald once again showed why golf continues to capture the imagination – one through the roar of competition, the other through calm, strategic brilliance.

Both are redefining what success in golf looks like: McIlroy, the relentless modern champion; Donald, the quietly commanding leader who’s reshaped Europe’s Ryder Cup identity.

For British golf fans, the 2025 SJA Awards were more than just a ceremony – they were a victory lap for a golden era.