Rory McIlroy one of six nominees for BBC Sports Personality of the Year

PGA Tour star and European Ryder Cup hero Rory McIlroy has been named as one of six nominees for the famous BBC Sports Personality of the Year prize for 2023. 

McIlroy, 34, may have failed to add to his major tally this year but he did win twice at the Dubai Desert Classic and Scottish Open en route to retaining the Race to Dubai title and winning it for a fifth time. 

The Northern Irishman was also the top points scorer at the Ryder Cup with four points as Luke Donald's Team Europe ran out five-point victors over Zach Johnson's United States side at Marco Simone in Rome.  

• Why Rory McIlroy may as well not bother turning up for BBC SPOTY 

He posted 13 top-10 finishes in 18 events on the PGA Tour in 2023. 

McIlroy will now attempt to become just the third ever golfer to win the coveted BBC SPOTY award. 

Former US Open champion Justin Rose has urged golf fans to get behind McIlroy and vote for him. 

All fantastic contenders for this years @BBCSport #SPOTY



But as a golfer/fan let’s all get behind @McIlroyRory and get voting… would be great seeing a golfer lift the since @NickFaldo006 in 1989. https://t.co/4RzfEK9tD4

— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) December 12, 2023

Only two golfers have ever won BBC SPOTY

Sir Nick Faldo was the last golfer to win the prize back in 1989.

Dai Rees became the first golfer to win the award in 1957.

McIlroy somehow failed to win SPOTY in a year in which he won back-to-back major titles in 2014.

That year he finished second to F1 star Lewis Hamilton. 

McIlroy joins cricketer Stuart Broad, horse racing jockey Frankie Dettori, footballer Mary Earps, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson as the six nominees for BBC SPOTY in 2023. 

Rory McIlroy has been nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year award



He finished 2nd in 2014 pic.twitter.com/3VmslzZ47K

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) December 12, 2023

Voting will take place during the show on BBC One on Tuesday 19 December.

Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will present the 70th edition of the annual awards.

Do you think McIlroy will win BBC SPOTY? Will he finally get back on the major ladder in 2024? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.