Despite historic successes in 2025, Rory McIlroy is absent from the New Year’s Honours List due to a tax authority review.
North Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was considered a top contender for a knighthood by King Charles III, alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald from England. However, none of the three golfers received the honour this year. In 2025, McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam with a Masters win, becoming the first European ever to do so. He also shone at the 2025 Ryder Cup, helping Europe secure their first away victory since 2012 at Bethpage State Park near the ‘Big Apple’.
Nevertheless, McIlroy’s name was not listed among the 1,157 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 being presented to the Prime Minister and the Monarch. According to a report by the British Telegraph, HMRC intervened in the process, similar to past delays with footballer David Beckham’s 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 initially considered legal tax relief schemes. HMRC later ruled these as tax avoidance and is now investigating whether the projects exploited the ‘Business Premises Renovation Allowance’ to deliberately evade taxes. There is currently no evidence suggesting McIlroy intentionally sought to avoid tax payments.
Since HMRC plays a role in decisions about knighthoods, such an investigation can prevent an honour from being granted. Neither McIlroy nor the British government has commented on the matter so far.