McIlroy’s omission from honours list questioned

Rory McIlroy, a golf player from Northern Ireland, was named on the King’s New Year’s Honours list, but questions are being posed as to why.

The 36-year-old won the Masters in April and helped Team Europe win the Ryder Cup against their American opponents in September, earning him a career Grand Slam in the sport.

There was talk of McIlroy getting a knighted when he won a dramatic play-off to complete his Open, US Open, and US PGA Championship victories.

A spokesperson for the Executive Office said: “Any queries about honours nominations should be directed to Cabinet Office.

Individual honors are not subject to the Cabinet Office’s comments.

Following his first major championship victory at the US PGA, the Holywood-born McIlroy received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2012.

In a remarkable twelve months, he won the first of the four major tournaments, known as the golfing Grand Slam.

McIlroy also won the Irish Open, ecstatic over the Players Championship, and capped off a stellar year with a seventh Race to Dubai triumph.

He said in November, “If that were to happen, it would be an unbelievably massive honour,” in response to a direct inquiry from Sky Sports about becoming “Sir Rory McIlroy.”

“That’s obviously up to people who are significantly more powerful and significant than I am.

“But, I mean, if it were to happen in my life one day, it would be a very proud moment.”

McIlroy or someone close to him hasn’t commented since he wasn’t on the most recent honors list.

At his upcoming tournament, which might be the Dubai Invitational starting on January 15, he is likely to be interviewed by the media about the subject.

Rhys McClenaghan, a Newtownards gold medalist, was one of the sportsmen and women honored in the New Year’s celebrations.

Sarina Wiegman, the head of England’s women’s football team, was honored as a patron sainte.

The King grants the honors to those who have made significant contributions to public life, as is customary.

The award was presented to more than 50 Northern Irish people.

Commonly awarded ranks:

• Limited to only 65 people in Companion of Honour. The recipients’ names are accompanied by the initials CH.
• Knight or Dame
• CBE – The Order of the British Empire’s Commander
• Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
• MBE – Order of the British Empire member
• British Empire Medal, BEM-British Empire Medal