Omission from New Year Honours list questioned

Questions are being asked about why the King’s New Year Honours did not recognise the achievements this year by golfer Rory McIlroy.

The sports star from Northern Ireland completed a career grand slam by winning the Masters tournament and guided Team Europe to success in the Ryder Cup.

After McIlroy won the Masters in dramatic style in April, there was a call for him to be knighted.

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

However, McIlroy did not feature in the list of honours released on Monday evening.

The Press Association reported that this was in spite of him being nominated by Stormont for recognition.

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

The Cabinet Office does not comment on individual honours.

The 36-year-old from Holywood, County Down, was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2012 after winning his first major championship.

He became the first European to win all four major tournaments, known as a golfing grand slam, earlier this year in a remarkable 12 months.

McIlroy delighted his home crowd by winning the Irish Open, with further success at the Players Championship, before topping off a stellar year with his seventh Race to Dubai title.

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

In November, amid speculation that he might feature on the New Year Honours list, he spoke about the possibility.

In a response to a direct question by Sky Sports about becoming ‘Sir Rory McIlroy’ one day, he said: “If that were ever to happen it would be an unbelievably massive honour.

“That’s obviously up to people a lot more powerful and important than me.

“But, I mean, if it were to happen one day, it would be a very proud moment in my life.”

Since not being included in the latest honours list, there has been no comment from McIlroy or anyone close to him.

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

Among the sportsmen and women recognised in the New Year honours were Olympic gold medalist Rhys McClenaghan from Newtownards.

England women’s football coach Sarina Wiegman was made an honorary dame.

Figure skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were given a damehood and knighthood respectively.

The honours are awarded by the King, and are normally given to people who have made significant achievements in public life.

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

Recipients included the director general of the National Trust Hilary McGrady and broadcaster Helen Mark.

Commonly-awarded ranks:

• Companion of Honour – Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their name
• Knight or Dame
• 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 the Honours