Sports Personality of the Year host Gary Lineker expressed his surprise that Matt Fitzpatrick failed to make the 2022 shortlist despite the golf star’s US Open triumph this year.
The BBC announced the six nominees for its annual award on Tuesday, with Beth Mead, Ben Stokes, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jessica Gadirova, Eve Muirhead and Jake Wightman all in the running to be crowned winners on Wednesday night.
This year’s shortlist caused much controversy after a number of successful British athletes were left out, but no omission caused as much outrage as Fitzpatrick.
Gary Lineker has questioned Matt Fitzpatrick’s omission from SPOTY’s 2022 shortlist.
Lineker, who hosts the annual awards ceremony, took to Twitter to question Fitzpatrick’s snub
After discovering the golf star hadn’t made the cut, Lineker couldn’t contain his surprise
The English golfer won his first golf title by coming out on top at the US Open in June when he outplayed fellow Briton Rory McIlroy on his way to the title.
However, despite becoming only the second Englishman to win the tournament since 1970, there was still no place for him on SPOTY’s shortlist.
Ian Poulter led the backlash against Fitzpatrick’s omission on Twitter, calling the awards ceremony a “continuing farce and joke” after he was also overlooked for a place on the shortlist in 2012 despite his starring role in Europe’s dramatic Ryder Cup win.
Justin Rose, the last English player to win the US Open in 2013, also questioned why the 28-year-old failed to earn a place among the six nominees.
And now Lineker, who is due to introduce SPOTY on Wednesday night, has become the latest high-profile figure to suggest Fitzpatrick should have been included.
Ian Poulter led the backlash against SPOTY on Twitter after Fitzpatrick was not included
Poulter called the awards an “ongoing farce and joke” while insisting he never watches them
Former US Open champion Justin Rose joined Poulter in criticizing the decision to skip Fitzpatrick
The BBC presenter tweeted: “Starting rehearsals for @BBCSPOTY and saw the shortlist doesn’t contain @MattFitz94!” along with two surprised emojis.
A golfer has not been crowned Sportsperson of the Year since Nick Faldo in 1989 after his first Masters victory.
Rose made the shortlist after winning the 2013 US Open, only to finish ninth out of 10 nominees, with the cut to six ultimately proving costly for Fitzpatrick.
Former BBC presenter Dan Walker was another to highlight Fitzpatrick’s omission, writing on Twitter: “Love #SPOTY but surprised no shortlist for @MattFitz94 who had an amazing year.”
Fans also questioned the decision, with one describing it as a “disgrace” while another said it was a “fraud” that Fitzpatrick had been left out.
Former BBC presenter Dan Walker was another who questioned Fitzpatrick, who failed to make the cut
In the summer he became only the second Englishman to win the US Open since 1970
Matthew Fieldsend wrote: “How on earth is @MattFitz94 not included in the nominations! Absolutely shocking. How many majors does he need to win per year to get a nomination. Apparently 1 in the US just isn’t good enough.
Olly Hunt added: “Absolute disgrace @MattFitz94 isn’t on this list. The BBC may not be able to broadcast much golf and Matt may not be there in person, but @BBCSport’s annual golf coverage is embarrassing.
While @markg0366 commented: “#Spoty22 just saw the shortlist I think you missed @MattFitz94. I’m just assuming it’s a website upload problem but it would be great to get it fixed quickly. Sincerely yours, diligent license payer.
Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only athlete fans felt was unfairly left off the list, with many protesting the absence of UFC star Leon Edwards.
Leon Edwards, who became the UFC’s second British champion in August, was also left out
Beth Mead leads the six nominees for the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Edwards delivered one of the greatest last-minute knockouts in MMA history, knocking welterweight champion Kamaru Usman to the point of no return in the dying stages of a fight he was destined to lose on points in August.
Yet despite becoming a second British UFC champion, like Fitzpatrick, there was still no place for the 31-year-old on SPOTY’s shortlist.
Meade, who inspired England’s footballing success at this year’s European Women’s Championship, is the overwhelming favorite to win.
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