Despite historic 2025 successes, Rory McIlroy is absent from the New Year’s Honours List amid a HMRC tax review.
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was considered a favorite for a knighthood by King Charles III alongside England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, but all three golfers missed out this year. In 2025, McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, becoming the first European to do so. He also led Team Europe to their first away Ryder Cup victory since 2012 at Bethpage State Park near New York City.
Nevertheless, McIlroy’s name was absent from the list of 1,157 honorees, which is first reviewed by the Cabinet Office and then by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before submission to the Prime Minister and the Monarch. According to a report by the British Telegraph, HMRC intervened, similar to a previous case involving footballer David Beckham, who also waited years for his knighthood.
Did Rory McIlroy Intentionally Avoid Taxes?
Recently named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, McIlroy was involved in urban regeneration projects in Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield back in 2013, which were initially considered legitimate tax reliefs by authorities. However, HMRC later ruled these projects as tax avoidance and is currently investigating whether the ‘Business Premises Renovation Allowance’ program was exploited to avoid tax payments deliberately. There is currently no evidence that McIlroy intended to evade taxes.
Because HMRC plays a key role in deciding knighthoods, such an investigation can block the honor. Neither Rory McIlroy nor the British government has commented on the matter to date.