Rory McIlroy hits out at the BBC’s Sports Personality ‘popularity contest’ and says he ‘forgot I was nominated’ after failing to turn up even via video link despite being shortlisted

Rory McIlroy holds the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Award in such low regard that he forgot he was nominated for it last year.

The golfer, runner-up of the 2014 showpiece award, did not even attend the ceremony via video link this year and labeled it a ‘popularity contest’.

Mary Earps received the honor in December, becoming the second lioness in a row to do so, after Beth Mead in 2022.

McIlroy said: “I forgot I was nominated so I think about it so much.

“It’s a popularity contest and I think it’s just not what it once was.”

The Irish golfer, who came second in 2014, called the award a ‘popularity contest’

The four-time major champion joined Earps, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Frankie Dettori, Stuart Broad and Alfie Hewitt on the shortlist for the latest gong.

It was held on a Tuesday evening in Salford, as opposed to a Sunday, as has been usual throughout the event’s long history – a change that angered viewers and questioned its relevance.

The Sports Personality of the Year Award dates back to 1954 and has been won in recent years by names such as Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton and Emma Raducanu.

No golfer has won the award since Sir Nick Faldo claimed it in 1989, and McIlroy doubted he would earn it even if he won the Masters title in April to complete a career grand slam.

McIlroy helped Team Europe to a Ryder Cup victory in 2023 and what followed was unbridled joy.

After feuds with LIV Golf, the pain of losing the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits and missing the cut at the Masters, McIlroy had achieved redemption.

He didn’t seem to have too much trouble adding a Sports Personality of the Year Award trophy to his cabinet and didn’t even send a videotape in case he won.

The Irishman had attended a Manchester United match just days before the ceremony, but flew to Florida instead of attending. The Telegraph.