Mark Simpson<\/span>Community correspondent, BBC News NI<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Questions are being asked about why the King’s New Year Honours list did not recognise the achievements of Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy.<\/p>\n The 36-year-old completed a career Grand Slam in the sport by winning the Masters<\/a> in April and led Team Europe to a memorable Ryder Cup success against their American hosts in September.<\/p>\n When McIlroy won a dramatic play-off to add the Masters to his Open, US Open, and US PGA Championship triumphs, there were calls for him to be knighted.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n However, McIlroy did not feature in the list of honours released on Monday evening<\/a>, despite being nominated by Stormont for recognition as reported by the Press Association.<\/p>\n Asked to confirm this, a spokesperson for the Executive Office said: “Any queries about honours nominations should be directed to Cabinet Office.”<\/p>\n The Cabinet Office does not comment on individual honours.<\/p>\n Holywood-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.<\/p>\n He became the first European to win all four major tournaments, known as a golfing Grand Slam, during a remarkable 12 months.<\/p>\n McIlroy also delighted his home crowd by winning the Irish Open, with further success at the Players Championship, before topping off a stellar year with a seventh Race to Dubai title.<\/p>\n He was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 <\/a>and won the equivalent award from the Irish broadcaster RT\u00c9.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In response to a direct question by Sky Sports about becoming ‘Sir Rory McIlroy’ one day, he said in November: “If that were ever to happen it would be an unbelievably massive honour.<\/p>\n “That’s obviously up to people a lot more powerful and important than me.<\/p>\n “But, I mean, if it were to happen one day, it would be a very proud moment in my life.”<\/p>\n Since not being included in the latest honours list, there has been no comment from McIlroy or anyone close to him.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Among the sportsmen and women recognised in the New Year honours were Olympic gold medalist Rhys McClenaghan from Newtownards.<\/p>\n England women’s football coach Sarina Wiegman was made an honorary dame.<\/p>\n Figure skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were given a damehood and knighthood respectively.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The honours are awarded by the King, and normally given to people who have made significant achievements in public life.<\/p>\n More than 50 people from Northern Ireland<\/a> were recognised for the award.<\/p>\n Recipients included the director general of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, and broadcaster Helen Mark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Commonly-awarded ranks:<\/p>\n Read more: Your guide to the Honours<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20251210-151139-37baf2dfdd-web-2.36.1-1\/grey-placeholder.png\")
![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2140\/live\/441b62b0-e646-11f0-8786-db2fc8f3a075.jpg.webp\")
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘An unbelievably massive honour’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Reuters](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2fc2\/live\/fce1de30-e4e5-11f0-94b0-3564906c508d.jpg.webp\")
Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe honours system<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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