Rory McIlroy is in line for a knighthood following his historic Masters victory, according to reports.
The Northern Irishman, who already holds an MBE awarded in 2011, is likely to be named in the New Year’s honours list.
The Telegraph reports that McIlroy meets the criteria of longevity and achievement at the highest level of his profession.
While knighthoods typically come after retirement, an intervention from Downing Street could see McIlroy honoured while still competing.
Rory McIlroy is in line for a knighthood following his historic Masters victory
REUTERS
This wouldn’t be unprecedented, with several active athletes previously receiving the honour.
England cricketer Jimmy Anderson is set to be knighted at age 42 while still playing, while Sir Andy Murray, Sir Mo Farah and Sir Lewis Hamilton were all knighted during their competitive careers.
If honoured, McIlroy would become the most high-profile Northern Irish sporting knight since jockey AP McCoy ten years ago.
McIlroy’s Masters triumph on Sunday at Augusta National marked a historic achievement in golf.
Rory McIlroy has won the Masters for the first time after beating Justin Rose at AugustaREUTERS
The 35-year-old defeated Justin Rose in a play-off to finally claim the coveted green jacket.
With this victory, McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam, adding the Masters to his previous major championships.
He had already won the US Open, The Open and two US PGA Championships.
The win places him in an exclusive club of just six men to have completed the set of all four majors, with McIlroy the first European to achieve this feat.
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He joins Americans Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, along with South Africa’s Gary Player, in this prestigious group.
The victory represents the culmination of a long journey for the Northern Irishman.
Sunday’s victory was particularly poignant given McIlroy’s history at Augusta.
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The win came 14 years after his infamous 2011 Masters collapse, when he surrendered a four-shot final-round lead.
McIlroy admitted he was extremely nervous during the final round.
“I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember,” he said.
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll embraced at the Masters as the golf star won the first Green Jacket of his careerREUTERS
“I mentioned it out in the prize ceremony, but watching Tiger [Woods] here in 1997 do what he did, and then winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did.
“You know, there were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders, but I didn’t make it easy today.
“I certainly didn’t make it easy. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course.”
