Despite historic successes in 2025, Rory McIlroy is absent from the New Year’s Honours List due to a HMRC tax review.
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was considered a favorite for knighthood by King Charles III alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, also from England. However, all three golfers missed out this year. In 2025, McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam with his Masters win, becoming the first European to do so. He also shone at the 2025 Ryder Cup, helping Team Europe secure their first away victory since 2012 at Bethpage State Park near the “Big Apple”.
Despite these achievements, “McIlroy” was not among the 1,157 honorees on the New Year’s Honours List, which is first reviewed by the Cabinet Office and then by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before being submitted to the Prime Minister and monarch. According to a report from the British Telegraph, HMRC intervened, similarly to the situation with footballer David Beckham, who had to wait several years after his nomination for knighthood.
Did Rory McIlroy Intentionally Avoid Taxes?
McIlroy, recently named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, was reported to have been involved in urban renewal projects in Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield in 2013. These projects were initially considered legal tax reliefs by authorities. However, HMRC later decided these projects constituted tax avoidance and is investigating whether McIlroy exploited the “Business Premises Renovation Allowance” scheme to deliberately evade taxes. Currently, there is no evidence suggesting McIlroy intended to avoid tax payments deliberately.
Since HMRC plays a role in decisions regarding knighthoods, such an investigation or suspicion can lead to rejection of the honor. Neither McIlroy nor the British government have commented on the matter so far.