Rory McIlroy is in line to be knighted after his Masters triumph but high-level discussions must take place before he is confirmed for upcoming honours lists.
The Northern Irishman appears most likely to be named in the new year’s list as honours will be close to being finalised for the King’s birthday list in June. Such a move will still need pushing through by Downing Street, however, as Honours officials are largely being instructed now to wait until athletes have retired.
McIlroy has represented Ireland rather than Great Britain at the Olympics but sources confirm there will be no issues with handing him the honour after he received the MBE in 2011. “Many people on the honours list have made huge personal sacrifices and contributed significantly to society during their lives,” he had said of that previous honour. “I feel very fortunate to be in their company.”
Insiders with close knowledge of the process confirm he fulfils the knighthood criteria of longevity and achievement at the highest level of industry.
McIlroy would become the most high-profile Northern Irishman to receive a sporting honour since jockey AP McCoy received a knighthood for services to horse racing in 2015. Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionist party, welcomed the prospect of a knighthood.
“For a country the size of Northern Ireland, it is remarkable how many sportspeople have become icons in their fields. Think George Best, Mike Gibson, and Mary Peters, to name just three,” he said in a statement calling for the honour.
“Rory McIlroy has just trumped all of them, and with the Grand Slam monkey off his back, looks set for even more success. This universally popular figure deserves the highest praise the nation can bestow, and a knighthood is just that.”
After major medal hauls at the Olympics in recent cycles, honours committees have attempted to delay honours until figures are at least approaching the end of their playing careers.
It emerged in recent weeks that cricketer James Anderson is to receive a knighthood in recognition of his record-breaking 21-year England career as part of the resignation honours list of former prime minister Rishi Sunak. Gareth Southgate was also knighted in the 2025 list after standing down as manager of the England football team.
The likes of Sir Andy Murray, Sir Mo Farah and Sir Lewis Hamilton were all knighted while still competing professionally, and McIlroy is now regarded as ‘when, not if’ when it comes to his own top honour.
McIlroy etched his name in history as he completed a career grand slam with a remarkable play-off win over Justin Rose, sparking jubilant scenes 3,000 miles away at his home-town Holywood Golf Club.
The club’s bar licence meant last orders were called at 10pm, with those ordering before needing to down their drinks by 10.30pm. McIlroy still has his own parking space in the car park, and fans faced hours of drama as he finally ended his 11-year wait for a fifth major.
McIlroy grew up in Holywood and his school, Sullivan Upper, awards green blazers to pupils who excel at sport. Some sixth formers watched their idol wearing their own green blazers.
Rory McIlroy is in line to be knighted after his Masters triumph but high-level discussions must take place before he is confirmed for upcoming honours lists.
The Northern Irishman appears most likely to be named in the new year’s list as honours will be close to being finalised for the King’s birthday list in June. Such a move will still need pushing through by Downing Street, however, as Honours officials are largely being instructed now to wait until athletes have retired.
McIlroy has represented Ireland rather than Great Britain at the Olympics but sources confirm there will be no issues with handing him the honour after he received the MBE in 2011. “Many people on the honours list have made huge personal sacrifices and contributed significantly to society during their lives,” he had said of that previous honour. “I feel very fortunate to be in their company.”
Insiders with close knowledge of the process confirm he fulfils the knighthood criteria of longevity and achievement at the highest level of industry.
McIlroy would become the most high-profile Northern Irishman to receive a sporting honour since jockey AP McCoy received a knighthood for services to horse racing in 2015. Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionist party, welcomed the prospect of a knighthood.
“For a country the size of Northern Ireland, it is remarkable how many sportspeople have become icons in their fields. Think George Best, Mike Gibson, and Mary Peters, to name just three,” he said in a statement calling for the honour.
“Rory McIlroy has just trumped all of them, and with the Grand Slam monkey off his back, looks set for even more success. This universally popular figure deserves the highest praise the nation can bestow, and a knighthood is just that.”
After major medal hauls at the Olympics in recent cycles, honours committees have attempted to delay honours until figures are at least approaching the end of their playing careers.
It emerged in recent weeks that cricketer James Anderson is to receive a knighthood in recognition of his record-breaking 21-year England career as part of the resignation honours list of former prime minister Rishi Sunak. Gareth Southgate was also knighted in the 2025 list after standing down as manager of the England football team.
The likes of Sir Andy Murray, Sir Mo Farah and Sir Lewis Hamilton were all knighted while still competing professionally, and McIlroy is now regarded as ‘when, not if’ when it comes to his own top honour.
McIlroy etched his name in history as he completed a career grand slam with a remarkable play-off win over Justin Rose, sparking jubilant scenes 3,000 miles away at his home-town Holywood Golf Club.
The club’s bar licence meant last orders were called at 10pm, with those ordering before needing to down their drinks by 10.30pm. McIlroy still has his own parking space in the car park, and fans faced hours of drama as he finally ended his 11-year wait for a fifth major.
McIlroy grew up in Holywood and his school, Sullivan Upper, awards green blazers to pupils who excel at sport. Some sixth formers watched their idol wearing their own green blazers.
