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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sean Ingle

Curse of Spoty? Rory McIlroy and golf could miss out again to Kelly or Norris

Rory McIlroy Golf Chloe Kelly Lewis Hamilton Masters F1
Rory McIlroy roars on Europe at the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy roars on Europe to a famous Ryder Cup win, despite enduring an ugly backlash by some home fans. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

It has been a 2025 for the ages for Rory McIlroy. He cemented his legacy by completing a career grand slam with victory at the Masters. Then he carried Europe on his back at the Ryder Cup, defying the venom and spite of a braying Maga crowd. Now, though, he has one final devilish sandtrap to navigate: the curse of golf at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.

Only twice in the 71-year history of the event has a golfer claimed the honour: the Welshman Dai Rees in 1957, when he captained Great Britain and Ireland to Ryder Cup success, and the Englishman Nick Faldo, following his Masters success in 1989. It is a pitiful return. Especially given athletics stars have won it 19 times, Formula One drivers eight, and football and tennis players seven apiece.

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