Rory McIlroy to end SPOTY snub: Golf star plans to attend ceremony for first time in more than a DECADE - a year on from raising eyebrows with no-show and 'forgetting' he was nominated

Rory McIlroy will end his Sports Personality of the Year snub and attend the ceremony having 'forgotten' he was nominated last year. 

The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a stellar year, winning the Masters in dramatic fashion before starring for Europe in the Ryder Cup triumph. 

McIlroy was brutally dismissive of SPOTY this January, saying: 'Whenever I saw the results, I forgot I was nominated. So that’s how much I think about it. It’s a popularity contest. It’s not what it once was.'

But the 36-year-old has now performed a U-turn, confirming he will be in attendance this December for the live ceremony in Manchester. 

McIlroy told Telegraph Sport: 'Yeah, the plan is to go.

'I have more chance of winning if I’m actually there and I recognise that with the audience the show attracts it could only be a good thing for the game. I suppose if I don’t win it this time, I never will,' he added with a smile. 

Chloe Kelly is currently the betting favourite to claim the prize after her vital role in England Women's triumph at the Euros this summer. 

Lando Norris could yet claim the F1 championship the week before SPOTY, which would obviously massively boost the driver's chances. 

And history appears to be against McIlroy, given Matt Fitzpatrick did not even reach the shortlist after winning the US open in 2022. 

McIlroy refused to send in a video message two years ago and did not appear remotely on the broadcast on the night. 

Sir Nick Faldo was the last golfer to win the award back in 1989 and McIlroy was the closest since then when he finished runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in 2014 after winning back-to-back majors. 

That was the last time McIlroy chose to attend the ceremony but he will end that long snub next month. 

His brilliant Masters win came after a sudden death playoff against Justin Rose following a nervy final round filled with incredible shots and baffling mistakes.   

The wait of 3,898 days for a fifth major was finally over and he burst into tears having completed the career grand slam. 

He was then a rock for Team Europe at Bethpage Black, enduring horrendous abuse directed at him and his wife from hostile American fans to come out on top with Luke Donald's side. 

They have a strong chance of winning Sports Personality's Team of the Year category.  

McIlroy is currently playing in the Abu Dhabi Championship and holds a strong lead in the Race to Dubai standings. 

It has unquestionably been a landmark and drought-ending year for the superstar of his sport - whether SPOTY voters end golf's long wait in the wilderness is another matter.