A shortlist of six contenders has been announced for the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award - with Rory McIlroy nowhere to be seen yet again.
It has been a stellar season for the Holywood star who has risen to World No1 once again while emerging as a figurehead for the PGA Tour lead spokesman as golf's civil war reached a whole new level.
Major glory eluded McIlroy who came up just short at The Open at St Andrews where Australian Cameron Smith - who has since joined LIV golf - produced a magical final round to nick glory from the Northern Ireland ace.
Read next: The shrewd investments paying rich dividends for Rory McIlroy
English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick actually claimed a major title with his US Open win in June but he also fails to make the BBC shortlist which features a number of unheralded sport stars.
The nominees are gymnast Jessica Gadirova, footballer Beth Mead, curling's Eve Muirhead, cricketer Ben Stokes, snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan and athlete Jake Wightman.
Voting will be open during the show on BBC One on Wednesday, 21 December where Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will present the 69th annual awards.
The public can vote by phone or online on the night for the main award, with full details announced during the show.
Golf fans here have reacted with disgust at the news of the omission for McIlroy who has filled the void left by Tiger Woods and emerged as a talisman for the PGA Tour.
Ricky Jones on Twitter blasted the BBC list and said: "I stopped watching in 2014 when Rory didn’t win! 2 majors, R2D, FedEx champ and a Ryder Cup."
Sean Leetham agreed, saying: "It’s an absolute crime that Rory McIlroy isn’t on the #BBCSPOTY shortlist!! Farce to say the least!!"
LFCCallum responded: "This reward has lost all its meaning if Rory McIlroy isn’t even nominated."
"The BBC must really dislike golf to not include @MattFitz94 winner of the US Open or even @McIlroyRory winner of the FedEx and DP world titles," argued Kevin Scott.
Tennis player Emma Raducanu won the award in 2021 with no golfer having won the prize since Nick Faldo in 1989. Only one other golfer has won the award since it's inception in 1954 with Welsh player Dai Rees winning in 1957.
The LordKilhorne Twitter account said: "World no 1, won both the @PGATOUR and @DPWorldTour end of season championships plus the Canadian Open all while battling LIV Tour. Disgusting he’s not on here."
Matthew Marcroft added: "How Rory McIlroy is not on this list is beyond me. What he has achieved this year is remarkable."
Phil Park went further, saying: "No @MattFitz94 or @McIlroyRory ? Complete shambles! So because you no longer have rights to any worthwhile live golf you now completely ignore the achievements of our top talents. Pathetic."
McIlroy is unlikely to be too bothered by the snub as he spends Christmas at home in the US with his wife Erica and daughter Poppy during golf's off-season having racked up €31,196,806 in earnings from both tours this year.
Read next:
- Shane Lowry and caddie Bo Martin in NSFW first drink/last drink TikTok challenge
How much money did Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry earn at this year's Open Championship?
Leona Maguire hails businessman Sean Quinn's influence on her golfing career
Fermanagh venue named the best golf resort in Ulster at prestigious awards
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
