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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The World No.2 then played a talismanic role in Europe\u2019s Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black, collecting 3.5 points from five sessions as Europe sealed their first away victory since 2012 \u2013 and one of the most emotionally charged triumphs in the competition\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d McIlroy said. \u201cI\u2019m very proud to be the recipient in 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n
It now remains to be seen whether McIlroy will become the first golfer in 36 years to lift BBC Sports Personality of the Year<\/a> next month.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy<\/p>\n McIlroy\u2019s brilliance could yet continue this week at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, where he\u2019ll chase a fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title and a seventh overall \u2013 just one shy of Colin Montgomerie\u2019s all-time record.<\/p>\n Earlier in the day, the DP World Tour also announced the creation of the Rory McIlroy Award<\/a>, a new annual honour launching in 2026 to recognise the player who performs best across all four majors. Appropriately, McIlroy himself will be ineligible \u2013 a rare case of a trophy named after someone whose influence has already transcended the competition.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Donald has a 100% record in Ryder Cup history<\/p>\n Donald honoured for back-to-back Ryder Cup heroics<\/p>\n While McIlroy owned the fairways, Donald<\/a>, 47, was recognised for his brilliance behind the ropes, receiving the Services to Sport \u2013 Off the Field award following his back-to-back Ryder Cup<\/a> victories as Europe\u2019s captain.<\/p>\n Donald became the first European skipper since Tony Jacklin in 1989 to win consecutive Cups, masterminding another masterclass in team unity, trust and precision \u2013 this time away on American soil at Bethpage Black.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an incredible recognition,\u201d Donald said after receiving his SJA award. \u201cI would like to say a massive thank you to everyone that was involved with the Ryder Cup. To my players, of course \u2013 they played magnificently. To my vice captains, to all the support staff \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Donald now has a decision to make over whether to lead Europe again in 2027 at Adare Manor.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Should he stay on, he could become the first captain <\/a>in Ryder Cup history to win three on the bounce.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025-06-06t195954z_360589043_mt1usatoday26390857_rtrmadp_3_pga-rbc-canadian-open-second-round.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"Donald](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/donald-12.jpg\")
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