Despite historic achievements in 2025, Rory McIlroy is missing from the New Year’s Honours List due to an HMRC tax investigation.
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was considered a favorite for knighthood alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, both from England. However, all three golfers were omitted from this year’s honours. In 2025, McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, the first European to do so. He also helped Team Europe secure their first away victory since 2012 at the Ryder Cup held at Bethpage State Park near New York City.
Nevertheless, McIlroy’s name was not included among the 1157 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), the UK tax authority, before submission to the Prime Minister and the Monarch. According to a report in The Telegraph, HMRC reportedly intervened, similar to the delay faced by footballer David Beckham years ago regarding his knighthood.
Did Rory McIlroy Intentionally Avoid Tax Payments?
McIlroy, recently named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, was involved in urban renewal projects in Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield in 2013. These were initially classified as legal tax relief schemes by authorities. However, HMRC later determined these projects constituted tax avoidance and is currently investigating whether the ‘Business Premises Renovation Allowance’ was exploited deliberately to evade taxes. There is currently no evidence suggesting McIlroy intended to avoid tax payments.
Since HMRC plays a role in recommending knighthoods, such an investigation can result in refusal of the honour. Neither Rory McIlroy nor the UK government have commented on this matter so far.