Rory McIlroy caused something of a stir last month when he was a no-show for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards show - despite being nominated for the main award.
After a 2023 season which saw him finish in the top ten of three Majors and lead Europe to Ryder Cup victory as the highest points scorer in Rome, McIlroy was a worthy candidate for the SPOTY award.
Ultimately, England goalkeeper Mary Earps would win the award in recognition of her stellar performances during her country's run to the World Cup final.
More notable than McIlroy's absence from the top three in the final voting was his absence altogether from the awards ceremony.
Addressing his no-show this week, McIlroy claimed he had forgotten that he was nominated ahead of the ceremony - and that he had lost interest in the "popularity contest."
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Rory McIlroy "forgot" he was nominated for BBC SPOTY
Rory McIlroy spoke to the world's media on Wednesday ahead of this weekend's Dubai Desert Classic.
He was asked to explain his snub of the BBC SPOTY Awards - and explained why he had lost interest in the once-storied awards show:
Actually, whenever the results [were on], I forgot I was nominated.
That's how much I think about it. It's not -- it's a popularity contest, and I think it's just not really -- it's not what it once was.
McIlroy previously finished second to Lewis Hamilton in the 2014 awards, after winning both the Open Championship and US PGA Championship in the same year.
That PGA triumph remains McIlroy's most recent Major triumph - and he will be desperate to end his long wait for #5 this year.
The Northern Irishman was on the cusp of getting 2024 off to a winning start at last weekend's Dubai Invitational, before a disastrous trip to the water on the 18th hole of the final round handed victory to Tommy Fleetwood.
Last year, he claimed his first victory of the year at the Dubai Desert Classic and will hope to defend his crown this weekend. He tees off at 4:10 am Irish time alongside Nicolai Hojgaard and Adam Scott.
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