BRITISH golfer Luke Donald has hit out at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards by claiming they ‘belittled him’.
Donald was nominated for the award in 2011 after becoming number one in the world where he held the title for 40 weeks.
But he believes his nomination turned sour because of the montage the BBC had created for his achievements.
Donald, 40, was replying to a post on Twitter that fellow golfer Eddie Pepperell wrote criticising Sunday’s awards night.
Pepperell said: “I grew up loving SPOTY. I even dreamed one day of winning it!
“But with age I’ve either grown incredibly cynical, or it’s become a complete shambles of an award.
“I hope it’s the former, but sometimes wonder if it’s the latter.”
Donald then responded giving his own experience of the event and questioned the montage put together to reward his achievements.
‘ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES’ BBC Sports Personality of the Year blasted by Piers Morgan after shocking Anthony Joshua snub
He responded: “Felt very privileged at the time to be nominated for SPOTY, then they belittled my achievements with a montage of me making a bunch of putts using a lightsaber.”
Donald rose to the top of the rankings after winning the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
A year later he was awarded an MBE for services to golf.
most read in sport
Donald finished fourth in the vote behind Mark Cavendish, Darren Clarke and Mo Farah.
The awards last night was heavily criticised after 50/1 shot Farah won the prize.
Just as they were about to interview the athlete over live video, the BBC were left embarrassed when the stream cut out.
Leave a comment