The victory also took McIlroy to six major championships, drawing him level with Faldo as Europe\u2019s most successful golfer of the modern era. Only late great Harry Vardon, with seven majors, remains ahead among European players.<\/p>\n
Despite these achievements \u2014 and completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters in 2025 \u2014 McIlroy was notably absent from the 2026 New Year Honours List in December 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
McIlroy’s omission has since continued to raise questions, especially after his latest success.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Not only has McIlroy now won six majors, including two Masters, but he’s also captured a record three FedEx Cups, seven Race to Dubai titles, 30 PGA Tour victories and 21 wins on the DP World Tour.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To many people’s knowledge, the final say on whether someone becomes a “Sir” (knighted) in the United Kingdom rests with The King, who acts on the formal advice of the Prime Minister and specialised, independent honours committees.<\/p>\n
But according to reports in both Telegraph<\/a> and GB News<\/a> hours after McIlroy slipped on the Green Jacket for a second time in 12 months, a spokesperson for Downing Street has reiterated that honours decisions are handled independently and not by the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n \u201cWe never comment on honours,\u201d Starmer’s spokesperson said on Monday after The Masters.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat is a question for the committee, not me.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy<\/p>\n The spokesman also declined to comment on whether any unresolved tax matters could affect McIlroy\u2019s eligibility, while confirming he was unsure whether Starmer had even watched the Masters victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, he did praise the achievement as \u201ca fantastic result\u201d and \u201ca huge accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n McIlroy\u2019s absence from the honours list is understood to be linked to previous scrutiny from HMRC, including a 2015 investigation into the Business Premises Renovation Allowance scheme.\u00a0<\/p>\n There is no suggestion of wrongdoing or illegal activity by the golfer though.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n McIlroy won his second Masters on Sunday<\/p>\n The world number two had been widely expected to receive further recognition after being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n McIlroy’s omission from the 2026 New Year Honours List made him the first SPOTY winner in nearly a decade not to receive an honour in the same period.<\/p>\n Calls for a knighthood have persisted, and rightly so in our view at GolfMagic.\u00a0<\/p>\n After all, if former England football manager Gareth Southgate can get one for winning, well absolutely nothing, then surely McIlroy, who has won six majors and just about everything else there is in professional golf, deserves one too…<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n McIlroy celebrates victory on the 18th green<\/p>\n The Northern Ireland Executive formally nominated McIlroy following his Grand Slam achievement in April 2025, with prominent political figures backing the move and highlighting his status as one of the region\u2019s greatest sporting figures.<\/p>\n McIlroy, who received an MBE after his first major win at the US Open in 2011, has previously described the prospect of a knighthood as \u201can unbelievably massive honour,\u201d while acknowledging the decision rests beyond his control.<\/p>\n![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-04-12t225545z_1233201148_up1em4c1row2k_rtrmadp_3_golf-masters.JPG\")
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