ACCORDING TO AN article by Derek Lawrenson in today’s Daily Mail, the BBC has decided to reschedule this year’s Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony as a means of guaranteeing the attendance of Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke, winners of this year’s US Open and Open Championship, respectively.
McIlroy’s dominant performance at Congressional Country Club in June copper-fastened his standing as the biggest draw in world golf, while Clarke was a hugely popular winner at Royal St. George’s last month. Both are considered favourites to take the award.
An official announcement regarding the scheduling change isn’t expected to be made until early December, but it looks likely that the broadcast will take place on the December 22. That date would allow Clarke and McIlroy adequate time to return from Asia, where they’re due to be competing until December 19, and ensure that the ceremony doesn’t clash with the X-Factor final.
