Rory McIlroy tipped for BBC award

After adding the Ryder Cup to his two major victories this season, world No.1 Rory McIlroy looks set to claim yet another honour after being cut to odds of 1/9 by Boylesports to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Prior to Gleneagles last week, the Northern Irishman was 1/7 to take the prize. But, after helping Paul McGinley’s team to a third successive Ryder Cup, Boylesports trimmed his odds after laying a €7,000 bet on him at 1/7. If he were to win, McIlroy would be the first golfer since Nick Faldo in 1989 to receive the award.

The 25-year-old’s closet rival is F1 star Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes driver is priced at 6/1 to win but can be backed at 11/8 in the betting without Rory McIlroy in the market, a clear indication of McIlroy’s credentials. England’s Lee Westwood is also in the running having been on the same winning European side as Rory McIlroy, although he’s an outside bet at 50/1.

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According to Liam Glynn, PR executive at Boylesports, Rory McIlroy’s name isn’t on the trophy just yet, as Hamilton is still in with a chance of winning the World Drivers Championship.

“Following McIlroy’s excellent performance for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, punters thought that his price of 1/7 was overpriced for Sports Personality of the Year,” said Glynn.

“Having laid numerous bets including a €7,000 bet at 1/7, our traders had to clip McIlroy further into 1/9.

“Lewis Hamilton is McIlroy’s nearest rival in the betting at 6/1 but we can expect to see support come for the British driver if he manages to win the World Drivers Championship.”

Rory McIlroy’s competition

Lewis Hamilton, 6/1

Johnny Wilkinson, 16/1

Jo Pavey, 25/1

Claudia Fragapane, 33/1

Lee Westwood, 50/1

Carl Froch, 50/1

Justin Rose, 50/1

Gareth Bale, 66/1

Mo Farah, 80/1

AP McCoy, 100/1

Ronnie O’Sullivan, 100/1

Andy Murray, 100/1

Lizzie Yarnold, 100/1

Kelly Gallagher, 100/1

Steven Gerrard, 100/1

Mark Selby, 100/1

James Anderson, 100/1