The omission from the New Year’s honors list has been questioned

Questions are being raised as to why the King’s New Year Honors List does not recognize the achievements of Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy.

The 36-year-old completed his Grand Slam career in the sport by winning the Masters in April and led Team Europe to a memorable Ryder Cup victory against hosts America in September.

When McIlroy won a dramatic playoff to add the Masters to his victories at the US Open, US Open and US PGA Championship, there were calls for him to be knighted.

At the time, Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt said: “This globally popular figure deserves the highest praise a nation can bestow, and a knighthood is exactly that.”

However, McIlroy did not appear in the honors list released on Monday evening, despite being nominated by Stormont for the recognition as reported by the Press Association.

Asked to confirm this, a spokesperson for the Executive Office said: “Any inquiries about medal nominations should be directed to the Cabinet Office.”

The Cabinet Office does not comment on individual honours.

Hollywood-born McIlroy was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2012 after winning his first major championship at the US PGA Championship.

He became the first European to win all four major championships, known as golf’s Grand Slam, in a remarkable 12 months.

McIlroy also delighted his home fans by winning the Irish Open, with further success at the Players Championship, before rounding off a fantastic year by winning the Race to Dubai title for the seventh time.

He was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 and won the equivalent award from Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

Asked directly by Sky Sports about one day becoming ‘Sir Rory McIlroy’, he said in November: ‘If that happened it would be an incredibly huge honour.

“This is clearly up to people more powerful and important than me.

“But, I mean, if it ever happened, it would be a very proud moment in my life.”

Since he was not included in the latest honors list, there was no comment from McIlroy or anyone close to him.

He is likely to be asked about this issue by the media in the new year, at his next tournament, which may be the Dubai Invitational, which starts on January 15.

Among the athletes and women honored in the New Year’s Tributes is Olympic gold medalist Rhys McClenaghan from Newtownards.

England women’s football coach Sarina Wegman has been named an honorary dame.

Figure skating duo Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean were named Mrs. and Knight respectively.

Decorations are awarded by the King, and are usually given to people who have made significant achievements in public life.

More than 50 people from Northern Ireland were honored for the award.

Among the beneficiaries were Director General of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, and broadcaster Helen Mark.

Ranks usually given:

• Companion of Honor – Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their names
• Knight or lady
• CBE – Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire
• MBE – Member of the Order of the British Empire
• BEM – British Empire Medal

Read more: Your guide to honors