Rory McIlroy gave an emotional speech at tonight’s Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony after what has been a brilliant 12 months for the Northern Ireland golfer.
Rory McIlroy struggled to hold back tears as the golfing superstar hailed Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe at tonight’s Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) awards. The two dads ran the London Marathon to honour daughters, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, who were tragically killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport in July 2024.
The two dads have set out to establish lasting legacies for their daughters; with projects like Elsie’s Story, Alice’s WonderDance and Bebe’s Hive. Both dads gave emotional speeches after receiving the Helen Rollason Award for 2025.
Sergio Aguiar, father of Alice, said: “Thank you everyone for the award it means a lot to me, my wife, and my princess Alice. I want to dedicate this award to our three girls: Alice, Elsie and Bebe. Keep dancing.
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“I want to spread Alice’s magic across the world. I’m going to keep running and raising money for her foundation.”
Elsie’s father, Stancombe, said: “I’m very grateful to accept the award tonight, but I’m just a dad who’s keeping his promise to his little girl. Elsie wanted me to run the London Marathon and I did. It gave me a massive focus during the hardest times I’ve ever lived through.
“It also gave me an opportunity to demonstrate a fraction of the bravery and determination Elsie showed. I’d just like to thank everyone who made it possible. My wife Jenny, too. She runs a marathon every day. I couldn’t do it without her.”
McIlroy is up for the main prize of Sports Personality of the Year, having completed an incredible year on the golf circuit. He finally ended an 11-year wait for the Grand Slam, defeating Justin Rose in a nerve-racking moment to win the Masters.
McIlroy, who was asked how being a father has changed his outlook on his achievements this year, held back the emotions, saying: “I think being a father of a little girl, seeing the dads up there tonight, they are absolute heroes.”
After collecting his thoughts, he added: “Being a dad, it makes the losses a lot easier. It makes the wins even more special to be able to share that with Erica [wife] and Poppy [daughter].
“My family, they’ve watched me go through all of this like I’m sure a lot of the public has. I feel like everyone’s been on this journey with me.”
He’s just the sixth man in modern-era to win a career Grand Slam, joining an elite club made up of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. The 36-year-old also enjoyed commanding performances during Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph, enduring a torrent of abuse from spectators.
Luke Donald’s side defeated the hosts in a rare away win, with their band of brothers seeing off a star-studded USA side with US president Donald Trump one of those watching on – as well as millions more on TV.
He also won titles at the Players Championship, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Irish Open, before topping off an incredible year with his seventh Race to Dubai title.
