Double Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will have to come from behind if he’s to unseat World No. 1 ranked golfer Rory McIlroy the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Bookmakers William Hill quote Hamilton at 3/1 to take the BBC chequered flag whereas McIlroy is a red hot 2/9 favourite to become the first golfer since Nick Faldo in 1989 to walk off with the coveted award.

“Until Hamilton’s World Championship title was confirmed, the betting was a one horse race,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly.

“But Lewis has now made things a little more exciting and it is not as clear cut as we first thought.”

The awards ceremony will take place on December 14th at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro Arena and two days before McIlroy is likely to be named ‘European Tour Golfer of the Year’.

The first photo of Rory McIlroy with the famed Claret Jug and the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy.  Exclusive photo -Eoin Clarke/www.golffile. ie

Hamilton became Britain’s first double F1 World Champion since Sir Jackie Stewart in 1971, and winning an 11th race of 2014 in capturing the final event in Abu Dhabi.

However there is no denying McIlroy’s efforts in season 2014 – a first Open Championship, a first WGC title and a second, along with a fourth Major, in capturing the PGA Championship at Valhalla.

If successful, McIlroy would also be only the third golfer to take home to top BBC award.

“I didn’t think in my wildest dreams I’d have a summer like this,” he said after winning at Valhalla.

“To win a fourth major here, to be one behind Phil [Mikelson], one behind Seve [Ballesteros], level with Ernie [Els], level with Raymond Floyd.

“I never thought I’d get this far at 25 years of age.”