McIlroy takes record sixth AGW honour
Career-defining 2025 season earns Rory writers’ seal of approval
Seoul, Korea - Rory McIlroy has been voted winner of the 2025 AGW Golf Writers Trophy for an unprecedented sixth time after a career-defining season that delivered his long-awaited Masters victory and career Grand Slam.
In 2025 the 36-year-old secured his first Masters title at Augusta National, contributed to Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage, claimed a second Irish Open and added PGA Tour victories at Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass. He also won a seventh DP World Tour Race to Dubai, moving clear of Severiano Ballesteros and within one of Colin Montgomerie’s record.
“I am honoured to win the Association of Golf Writers Trophy for 2025, a very special year for me and my family in winning the Masters to become the first European player to complete the career Grand Slam, an Irish Open, being part of Europe’s Ryder Cup win at Bethpage under Luke Donald’s captaincy and also claiming a seventh Harry Vardon Trophy,” McIlroy said. “It has been a truly special year. I would like to thank the Association of Golf Writers for their support and commitment to golf.”
AGW chairman Philip Reid said: “On behalf of the Association of Golf Writers, I would like to congratulate Rory on what was a truly exceptional year and on claiming our trophy for a record sixth time. He added to his legacy in becoming the first European male golfer to claim the career Grand Slam when winning the Masters in April, a remarkable achievement, along with his many other accomplishments in a standout year. On behalf of the AGW’s membership, I thank him for his time given and professionalism in his dealings with the golf media.”
Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team finished second in the poll, with Tommy Fleetwood third; other votes went to Luke Donald, Lottie Woad, Jeeno Thitikul, Justin Rose, Marco Penge, Maja Stark and Mimi Rhodes. First presented in 1951 to Max Faulkner, the AGW Golf Writers Trophy honours the international team or golfer judged to have made the most outstanding contribution to the game during the preceding 12 months, and McIlroy will receive the 2025 award at the association’s annual dinner at Royal Birkdale next July.