Northern Irish golfer Graeme McDowell believes that compatriot Rory McIlroy should be awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 23-year-old has been shortlisted for the award among a nominees list that mainly consists of athletes who competed at the London Olympics.

While he is an outsider for the accolade, McDowell is adamant that McIlroy has done enough to warrant winning the prize.

"He's the world's number one player, he's won two major championships at a very young age and very convincingly," McDowell said. "He's stamped his authority on world golf over the last couple of years. He's only 23 years old and he's just an incredibly talented kid with a great personality.

"If you need a personality to win BBC Sports Personality - which I hope you do - he's certainly got a great one.

"Golf is a tough one. We are not a mainstream sport like football and athletics but I hope the public can realise what Rory McIlroy has achieved this year."

McIlroy's 2011 US Open win and this year's PGA victory were both achieved by eight-stroke margins.