It may have seemed as though Rory McIlroy snatched up every award in 2014 but an Oscar and a Grammy, but the world No. 1 was snubbed for a big one Sunday night: BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.
At one point a 6/1 favorite with the bookies, McIlroy instead watched Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton accept the honor that is decided by a public vote.
Heck, even Hamilton was surprised by the result, climbing on stage and saying, “I really wasn’t expecting it because dude (McIlroy), you had such an incredible year.”
And so golf was shut out for top honors for the 25th year in a row, dating to Nick Faldo’s win in 1989. Hamilton won with 209,920 votes, more than 80,000 ahead of runner-up McIlroy.
McIlroy tweeted thanks to all of the fans who voted for him and described Hamilton as “thoroughly” deserving and a “worthy winner.”
His peers took it from there:
Obsolutely ridiculous that @McIlroyRory has not won Sports Personality 2014. Huge respect to @LewisHamilton but come on.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 14, 2014
.@BBCSPOTY has turned into a complete joke. It's such a great shame. Huge congrats to @LewisHamilton, but he had 1 person to beat all year.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 14, 2014
Lot of angry people on my timeline... Unfortunately as long as SPOTY continues to be a public vote then this will continue to happen! #Rory
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) December 14, 2014
Some amazingly inspirational stories at SPOTY & a great celebration of British sport but not sure the correct winner is always crowned
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) December 14, 2014
😂😂😂SPOTY😂😂😂 technology of the year goes to the silver and red dodgem!!! Just have to win all 4 next year @McIlroyRory !
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) December 14, 2014
At least Paul McGinley went home happy. The Irishman was named the Coach of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, after leading Europe to a five-point victory at Gleneagles.
“I did not think of myself as a cheerleader,” he said. “I was managing the situation as best as possible.”