BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 odds: US Masters champion Rory McIlroy as new favourite to win

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Rory McIlroy’s dramatic sudden-death victory at the US Masters in Augusta, Georgia, not only completed the career Grand Slam for the Northern Irishman, but also propelled him to the top of the contenders for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. 

The 35-year-old from Holywood, County Down, was vying for an elusive victory at the famous golf club in Georgia, to complete the Grand Slam at the 11th time of asking. 

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He secured a momentous victory, sparking emotional celebrations, to become just the sixth golfer ever to complete the achievement. 

McIlroy prevailed over Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose in an 18th-hole play-off, after they were tied on -11 at the end of the 72-hole regulation play on Sunday. 

Now with the coveted green jacket in his possession, the US Masters champion has been installed as the hot favourite for the SPOTY prize in December, coming in from 16/1 last week.

Ladbrokes have listed McIlroy as odds-on favourite at 8/13, leading darts prodigy Luke Littler (5/2) and Formula 1's Lando Norris (4/1). 

Littler finished second in the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year contest, but his stunning victory in January to secure the PDC World Championship title renewed his prominence in the list of high-performing British sporting stars, even at a relatively early stage. 

He did not secure the top prize, but the rising star of the oche did scoop the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year accolade. 

“It shows how well I have done this year (2024), not only for myself, but I have changed the sport of darts,” he stated on the collection of his award. 

Meanwhile, Norris enjoyed a second-place finish in the F1 driver standings last year after securing pole position in four races during the 2024 Championship. 

Further success this year and a potential world title could yet see the 25-year-old challenge McIlroy for the BBC SPOTY award.

The current holder of the award is English middle-distance runner Keely Hodgkinson, who secured gold medal glory in the 800 metres at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

She was the fourth consecutive female winner, following the recognition of England Lionesses Mary Earps and Beth Mead in 2023 and 2022, respectively, while tennis star Emma Raducanu was the victor in 2021.  

Also in the reckoning are rugby union’s Ellie Kildunne, tennis star Jack Draper and the 2020 SPOTY winner Lewis Hamilton.

The current list of contenders is made up of several familiar names, ahead of a packed summer of sporting competitions and major events.

The winner will be crowned at the annual event on 15 December, 2025.

Full odds from Ladbrokes are listed below and were correct at the time of publishing