Bookies make unexpected Rory McIlroy announcement ahead of BBC SPOTY

Rory McIlroy is now the odds-on favourite with the bookmakers to land the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. 

The Northern Irishman, 36, has enjoyed the best year of his professional career in 2025. 

He began the year with a bang, winning at famed Pebble Beach before ticking off the Players Championship for the third time. 

The Ulsterman then clinched his first Masters title, ending his decade-long wait for a major trophy and joining the grand slam club. 

If that wasn't enough, McIlroy then won the Irish Open at the K Club after forcing a play-off with an electric eagle at the 72nd hole.

In September, he delivered a talismanic performance for Europe against the United States in their 15-13 away win at the Ryder Cup in New York. 

The victory was even sweeter for McIlroy given he was on the receiving end of a barrage of personal insults all week at Bethpage Black. 

He contributed 3.5 points to the total, only losing to Scottie Scheffler on the final hole of their singles contest.

McIlroy finished second to Lewis Hamilton at the 2014 BBC Sports Personality of The Year awards despite winning back-to-back majors.

He has not attended since and even labelled the awards a "popularity contest". 

England's Matthew Fitzpatrick and Georgia Hall weren't even nominated despite their major wins in 2018 and 2022. 

Only two golfers (Dai Rees, 1957, Nick Faldo, 1989) have won the award. 

But McIlroy hopes that will change on 18 December and previously outlined his plans to attend in person. 

"I have more chance of winning if I'm actually there," he previously told Telegraph Sport. 

"And I recognise that with the audience the show attracts it could only be a good thing for the game. 

"I suppose if I don't win it this time, I never will."

The bookmakers did have Chloe Kelly, the Lioness who starred in England Women's European Championship triumph in the summer, as the clear favourite, followed by McIlroy. 

But Betfair now have McIlroy at odds of 5/6, down from 11/8. 

Lando Norris is currently 9/2 but that could change if he converts his narrow lead in the drivers championship into a first F1 crown this weekend in Abu Dhabi. 

BBC SPOTY latest odds:

McIlroy is not the only golfer in with a chance taking an award at BBC SPOTY. 

Luke Donald, Europe's Ryder Cup captain, could be named as coach of the year. 

Donald masterminded Europe's victory over the United States in Italy two years ago. 

And after the blue and gold's exploits in New York, became only the second European captain to win back-to-back Ryder Cups. 

The former world number one has not made up his mind yet as to whether he will take on the role again in two years' time in Ireland. 

Former captain Paul McGinley claimed this week Donald will let European Ryder Cup officials know of his decision after Christmas.