"McIlroy's stellar successes in 2025 have earned him the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, making him the first golfer to win the accolade since McIlroy himself was in nappies. The Northern Irishman welled up following a segment that honoured Mr Aguiar and Mr Stancombe, the recipients of the Helen Rollason Award. The grieving fathers completed the London Marathon in April to honour the lives of their daughters, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, who were among the three victims of the Southport stabbing attack last summer."
"I think as being a father of a little girl, seeing Alice's and Elsie's dad up there tonight - they are two absolute heroes. I just wanna, um..."
"I think being a dad, it makes the losses easier, but it also makes the wins even more special. So to share that with Erica and Poppy [is special]. My family have watched me go through all of this, along with the public. Everyone has gone on this journey with me."
"The 36-year-old won the Masters in April, beating Englishman Justin Rose in a play-off to complete the career grand slam of golf's four major titles. He then contributed three-and-a-half points to Europe's tally as they beat the United States to win the Ryder Cup in New York, their first away victory over the US in 13 years."
Rory McIlroy received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 after a standout season that included completing golf's career grand slam with a Masters victory. The Masters win came in a play-off against Justin Rose, with McIlroy's daughter Poppy present at Augusta. He also contributed three-and-a-half points as Europe secured a Ryder Cup win in New York, the team's first away victory over the US in 13 years. McIlroy became emotional honoring Helen Rollason Award recipients Mr Aguiar and Mr Stancombe, who ran the London Marathon to commemorate daughters killed in the Southport stabbing. He said fatherhood has intensified both losses and triumphs.
Read at Irish Independent
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