England women’s goalkeeper Mary Earps wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year as Rory McIlroy finishes out the places.
Rory McIlroy finished out of the places as England women’s goalkeeper Mary Earps was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2023.
The 34-year-old McIlroy finished the season as the top player in Europe after a strong campaign in which he won the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour for a record five times.
The Northern Irishman helped Luke Donald’s Team Europe win back the Ryder Cup in Rome in 2023 by finishing first with four points out of five. He also won twice in 2023, at the Scottish Open and Dubai Desert Classic.
But McIlroy, who was one of six nominees for BBC SPOTY, was once again unsuccessful in the majors in 2023 as his wait for a fifth major title slips into a 10th season.
McIlroy shunned his invite to attend BBC SPOTY, which celebrated its 70th year on December 19, 2023.
He was also the only one of the six nominees who did not speak to the BBC.
While the reasons for McIlroy’s absence – and not appearing on video link – remain unknown, it should be noted he was in the country watching his beloved Manchester United grind out a 0-0 against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
I would have voted for Rory McIlroy but the BBC no longer shows golf any more so what’s the point,” said one disgruntled golf fan.
The BBC incredibly turned down a free PGA Tour highlights package this season, which we discussed more in here.
The reason? Down to “not suiting the demographic”, a source told the Telegraph.
Golf’s bad record in BBC SPOTY continues
Only two golfers have ever won BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
That equates to less than 3%.
Sir Nick Faldo was the last golfer to win BBC SPOTY coming in 1989.
Faldo etched his name on the award that year having slipped on the famous Green Jacket for the first time at The Masters.
The Englishman went on to win six majors before being knighted in 2009.
Dai Rees of Wales became the first golfer to win BBC SPOTY in 1957, the same year he led Great Britain to their first Ryder Cup victory in twenty-four years, winning 7.5-4.5.
When Lewis Hamilton won the 2014 BBC SPOTY, McIlroy came in second.
Despite winning two majors that year, McIlroy was not able to secure the top spot.
After learning Earps had won the award, broadcaster Piers Morgan tweeted: “Trying to get my head around two of England’s women footballers winning BBC SPOTY in successive years… while male sporting superstars with great personalities like Rory McIlroy, Frankie Dettori & Ronnie O’Sullivan have never won it.”
Rory McIlroy shuns SPOTY invite and does not even speak to the BBC
McIlroy was 50/1 to win BBC SPOTY when the bookies first compiled odds.
He then drifted out heavily to a complete 150/1 outsider on December 19.
That was more than likely a result of news emerging McIlroy would not be attending the BBC’s night.
The golf segment of BBC SPOTY appeared an hour and 10 minutes into the programme at 8.11pm.
After a 60-second review of the Solheim Cup (was it worth even bothering?!), the BBC kindly gave the Ryder Cup a full five minutes.
McIlroy not only refused an invite to attend BBC SPOTY but he was also the only one of the six nominees for the main award to not speak to the BBC on the night.
Tommy Fleetwood, who got the winning point for Europe at the Ryder Cup, stepped in to chat to Gary Lineker on stage.
Even jockey Frankie Dettori, who also did not attend the awards ceremony, still spoke to the BBC via a video link.
Mary Earps prevails. Mary Earps, 30, the goalkeeper for the England women’s national team, was named the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
She took after her fellow countrywoman Beth Mead, who in 2022 became the first female football player to win the trophy.
When England advanced to the Women’s World Cup final in 2023, goalkeeper Earps of Manchester United stood out as the team’s best player.
She played in every minute over the seven matches, keeping three clean sheets en route to winning the World Cup Golden Glove.
England unfortunately went on to lose to Spain 1-0 in the final.
She was also voted England Women’s Player of the Year for 2022-2023 and she finished fifth for the Ballon d’Or award.
On top of that, she claimed the Women’s Super League Golden Glove for the 2022-23 season with Manchester United, having kept a record 14 clean sheets.
Earps was installed as a red-hot 1/10 favourite to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year, so the award was not a huge surprise for most sports fans in the know.
Cricketer Stuard Broad finished second and athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson came third.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 – Top Three
1. Mary Earps
2. Stuart Broad
3. Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Should McIlroy have won BBC SPOTY or was Earps a deserved winner?
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