Despite historic achievements in 2025, Rory McIlroy is absent from the New Year’s Honours List due to an HMRC tax review.
North 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 were left out this year. McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam in 2025 with a Masters victory, becoming the first European to do so. He also shone at the 2025 Ryder Cup, leading Team Europe to their first away win since 2012 at Bethpage State Park near New York City.
Nonetheless, McIlroy’s name was not listed among the 1157 honorees on the New Year’s Honours List, which is first reviewed by the Cabinet Office and then His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before submission to the Prime Minister and monarch. According to a report by the British Telegraph, the HMRC intervened, similarly to what happened during footballer David Beckham’s knighthood, which was delayed by several years.
Did Rory McIlroy Avoid Taxes Deliberately?
McIlroy, recently named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, was involved in urban regeneration projects in Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield in 2013, which were regarded as legal tax relief schemes by authorities. However, the HMRC later classified these projects as tax avoidance and is currently investigating if the so-called “Business Premises Renovation Allowance” was exploited to deliberately evade taxes. So far, there is no indication that McIlroy intentionally avoided tax payments.
Since the HMRC plays a role in decisions regarding knighthoods, such a suspicion or investigation can lead to refusal. Neither the Northern Irish player nor the British government has commented on this matter yet.