VIEWERS claim Rory McIlroy “snubbed” the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event – after he failed to turn up or record a video despite being an award nominee.
The golf star’s shock absence sparked huge speculation on the night that Lionesses’ keeper Mary Earps picked up the top gong.
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Some sports fans suggest the Northern Ireland legend was right not to attend – as they reckon the BBC has covered his sport poorly.
McIlroy was the only one on the six-person shortlist to be neither seen nor heard on Tuesday evening – with Ryder Cup-winning team-mate Tommy Fleetwood being interviewed in his place.
Even horse-racing icon Frankie Dettori made up for not being there by speaking on video link.
So that put an even brighter spotlight on McIlroy.
One observer posted: “Well, given the BBC’s increasingly lack of support for golf, I really don’t blame him. Why should he support SPOTY if it doesn’t provide any live pro golf.”
Another wrote: “The BBC has made their bed where golf is concerned so now they need to lie in it.”
And a third reckoned McIlroy should still be smarting from missing out on the SPOTY award nine years ago.
That spectacular period was when the four-time Major winner triumphed in both the Open and the PGA Championship.
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The fan hit out: “He should have won it in 2014. For what was the greatest sports programme of my childhood – it is now an irrelevant piece of media.”
The BBC declined to comment on McIlroy’s no-show.
In contrast, viewers went into overdrive as they pondered why he made his decision.
One described Mcilroy’s non-attendance as an “epic” choice.
And others argued it was an “utter sham” he didn’t finish high up the list of nominees.
Retired Test icon Stuart Broad was runner-up to Earl, with heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson third.