Despite historic successes in 2025, Rory McIlroy misses the New Year’s Honours List as a tax review blocks his knighthood.
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was considered a favorite for a knighthood by King Charles III alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald from England. However, all three golfers were left out this year. McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam in 2025 by winning the Masters, becoming the first European to do so. At the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 36-year-old also shone with Team Europe, securing the team’s first away win since 2012 at Bethpage State Park near New York City.
Nonetheless, McIlroy’s name did not appear among the 1,157 honored 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 the monarch. According to a report by the British Telegraph, HMRC intervened in the process, similar to what happened with footballer David Beckham, who also had to wait several years before receiving his knighthood.
Did Rory McIlroy Intentionally Avoid Taxes?
Recently named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, McIlroy was involved in urban renewal projects in Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield in 2013, which were considered legal tax reliefs by authorities. However, HMRC later decided these projects amounted to tax avoidance and is currently investigating whether the schemes exploited the “Business Premises Renovation Allowance” to deliberately evade taxes. There is currently no evidence that McIlroy intended to avoid paying taxes.
Since HMRC has a say in knighthood decisions, such an investigation or suspicion can lead to a rejection. Neither McIlroy nor the British government have commented on the matter so far.