McIlroy named SJA's Sportsman of the Year

World number one and defending champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the fourth and final round of the Australian Open golf tournament at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney November 30, 2014. REUTERS/David Gray

LONDON (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy, who won two majors and helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup in a stunning 2014, was named the British Sports Journalists Association’s Sportsman of the Year on Thursday.

The Irishman, who won the British Open and PGA Championship, finished ahead of Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and Commonwealth and European long jump gold medal winner Greg Rutherford in a ballot of the British association's members.