Rory McIlroy favourite for sports personality award
Rory McIlroy is a strong favourite to round off the most successful spell of his career with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in Glasgow next month – but there are no Scottish nominees on the ten-strong shortlist.
McIlroy, who won the final two majors of the year as well as helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup, will bid to become the first golfer to win the prestigious award since Nick Faldo in 1989. But McIlroy could face a challenge from Lewis Hamilton, who claimed his second Formula 1 world title in Abu Dhabi at the weekend and finished second in both 2007 and 2008.
The winner of the award will be announced at the culmination of the live show on 14 December at the Hydro Arena, following a public vote.
But Scots fans will have no local favourite to support after last year’s winner Andy Murray was left off the final shortlist following a year in which he failed to add to his two career grand slam titles. There was no spot either for any of Scotland’s Commonwealth Games heroes.