But no, it seems that this wider audience prefers fast cars to a sport in
which integrity is at its core. It seems that this wider audience do not
grasp the fact that Hamilton essentially had one serious rival to beat on
his way to the world title, while McIlroy had at least 70 serious rivals, as
well as so many more invariables, to conquer on his way to becoming the
first European golfer to win three different majors.
When McIlroy tees off at the Masters in April in his bid to become just the
sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam he will not have
superior equipment than the other golfers, he will simply have a far
superior talent. No doubt, Hamilton is more talented than the rest as well.
But that would mean nought if his car was not up to scratch.
So, yes, it is a disgrace that McIlroy did not win SPOTY. It is easy to see
why. Golfers did not vote for him, because, well, golfers are not the type
to switch on to a “show” which long ago traded in its dignity to appeal to
the common denominator addicted to all that reality guff.
If you want to know how far SPOTY has descended since the days when it was an
understated appreciation of the UK sporting year then look no further than
Simple Minds opening the “show”. By the time the credits rolled – it has to
be said, with no credit whatsoever – the booking of that band appeared so
appallingly appropriate.