RORY MCILROY has launched a brutal attack on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and claimed it is just a “popularity contest”.

The long-running SPOTY was created in 1954 and has been won by legendary names such as Lewis Hamilton, Bobby Moore and Steve Redgrave.

The likes of Andy Murray, Emma Raducanu and Marcus Rashford have received it over more recent times while Sir Nick Faldo was the last golfer to win it way back in 1989.

The 34-year-old McIlroy did finish runner-up for the prize in 2014 but, despite being nominated for the latest one after helping Team Europe to Ryder Cup joy last year, he did not even attend the recent ceremony via video link.

England Women’s goalkeeper Mary Earps scooped the award in December after her exploits in helping her nation reach the World Cup Final.

She became the second Lionesses player to win it in a row following Beth Mead’s success in 2022.

McIlroy was on the shortlist along with Earps, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Frankie Dettori, Stuart Broad and Alfie Hewitt for the gong.

And it seems that even if he had been voted the victor, he would not have attended after revealing that he did not even send in a video of an acceptance speech in case he did win.

McIlroy, as quoted by The Times, said: “I forgot I was nominated, so that’s how much I think about it.

“It’s a popularity contest and I think it’s just not really what it once was.”

The four-times Major winner was then asked whether he would show up for the Beeb’s knees-up should he secure a career grand slam at the Masters.

McIllroy added: “I don’t know. That’s hypothetical.

“Depends what my chances of winning it were, I guess.”