Rory McIlroy is clear favourite to win the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award after bookmakers widely shortened his odds in the run up to the annual awards, which are being held at Media City in Salford on December 18.
The reigning Masters champion is now 8/13 on to win the award. If successful, it will be the first time that a golfer has won the honour since Nick Faldo in 1989.
The Northern Irishman’s rivals in the shortlist, which was announced last week, include F1 world champion Lando Norris (7/2), England footballers Chloe Kelley (10/3) and Hannah Hampton (20/1), darts world No.1 Luke Littler and England rugby player Ellie Kildunne (66/1).
Golf is also in the running for the BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year, with the European Ryder Cup team having been shortlisted for the award after their dramatic victory at Bethpage Black in October. It marked the first time that either side had won an away leg since Medinah in 2012.
Luke Donald’s team are up against England’s Euro 2025-winning women’s football team and the country’s Women’s Rugby World Cup champions.
For the first time, the team award is being put to a public vote, with voting open online now via bbc.co.uk/spoty and will close during the live awards show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm-9pm on Thursday, 18 December. The winning team will be crowned live on the night.