The 77th edition of the SJA British Sports Awards – the longest-established awards of their kind in Britain – will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025; for the second consecutive year, the Awards will be announced live on Sky Sports News; SJA members were invited to decide the big three prizes on offer; our SJA Academy members made their cases for the awards…
By SUZI GARFORTH
How much of your life would you dedicate to something only six people have ever completed before?
For Rory McIlroy, the answer is 3,899 days and 11 attempts to claim the golf career grand slam.
Having consistently flirted with the Masters title since falling short in 2011, he finally placed first at the 2025 Masters.
And in doing so, he became the seventh man ever – and the only European – to win all four of golf’s majors: the Masters, PGA, US Open and Open Championship.
His moment came in a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose at Augusta National Golf Club. One final putt, one clean swing, and one tear-filled fall to the green for McIlroy secured him the infamous green blazer.
After his win, he said: “The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy is never give up on your dreams. Keep coming back, keep working hard and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.”
Call it luck of the Irish, or pure skill, McIlroy also secured his second Players Championship win not long before his Masters victory, on no other day than St Patrick’s.
The Northern Irishman, again, is the only European and one of six to have claimed this title twice, which is considered the most prestigious competition outside of the four annual majors.
And his 2025 success didn’t stop there. McIlroy secured a two-shot triumph at Pebble Beach as well as thrilled home crowds, winning the Amgen Irish Open, adding to a season that saw him surpass $100 million in PGA Tour career earnings and reclaim the world No.1 ranking.
While golf is so often a solo pursuit, McIlroy claimed further success on the most elusive team event, the Ryder Cup. Team Europe lifted the trophy at Bethpage Black, becoming the first visiting side to win all four seasons on American soil.
Gaining his sixth Ryder Cup trophy means McIlroy is yet again chasing records, one off the record seven. A trophy which was claimed amid heckles and hostility from crowds which picked apart his professional and private life.
McIlroy’s class, consistency and (sometimes) composure over 14 professional seasons culminated in 2025, a year that balanced personal triumph with both national and international pride.
Suzy Garforth is a member of the SJA Academy for media professionals starting their careers. Click here to join.