Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was considered a favorite for a knighthood from King Charles III alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, also from England. However, all three golfers were left out this year. In 2025, McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam with his Masters victory, becoming the first European ever to do so. He also shone at the 2025 Ryder Cup, helping Team Europe secure their first away win since 2012 at Bethpage State Park near New York City.
Nonetheless, McIlroy’s name was not among the 1,157 honorees on the New Year's Honours List, which is reviewed first by the Cabinet Office and then by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before being presented to the Prime Minister and monarch. According to a report from the British Telegraph, HMRC intervened, similarly to the case with footballer David Beckham, who also had to wait several years for his knighthood.
Did Rory McIlroy Intentionally Avoid Tax Payments?
McIlroy, recently named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, was reportedly involved in urban renewal projects in Liverpool, Birmingham, and Sheffield back in 2013, which were considered legal tax reliefs at the time and recognized as such by authorities. Later, HMRC decided these projects constituted tax avoidance and is currently examining whether the scheme known as the "Business Premises Renovation Allowance" was exploited to deliberately evade taxes. However, there is currently no evidence suggesting McIlroy intentionally tried to avoid paying taxes.
Because HMRC plays a decisive role in knighthood approvals, any such suspicion or investigation can lead to rejection. Neither the Northern Irish player nor the British government has commented on the matter so far.