Despite historic successes in 2025, Rory McIlroy is not on the New Year’s Honours List. A HMRC tax review reportedly blocks his knighthood for now.
Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was considered a favorite for a knighthood by King Charles III alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, both from England. However, all three golfers were passed over this year. In 2025, McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, becoming the first European to do so. Also, at the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 36-year-old shined with Team Europe, securing the first away victory since 2012 at Bethpage State Park near New York City.
Still, McIlroy’s name did not appear 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) before being presented to the Prime Minister and the monarch. According to a report from the British Telegraph, the HMRC intervened, similar to the case with soccer player David Beckham, who also had to wait several years for 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 relief and recognized as such by authorities. Later, HMRC decided these projects constituted tax avoidance and is currently investigating whether the “Business Premises Renovation Allowance” scheme was exploited to deliberately evade paying taxes. So far, there is no evidence that McIlroy intended to avoid taxes.
However, as HMRC has a say in knighthood decisions, such a suspicion or investigation can lead to refusal. Neither the Northern Irish player nor the British government has commented on the matter so far.