Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has acknowledged that receiving a knighthood would represent “an unbelievably massive honour” whilst addressing mounting speculation about the prestigious recognition.
The 36-year-old golfer offered his thoughts on the possibility after posting an impressive opening round at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday.
When questioned about potentially becoming Sir Rory McIlroy, the five-time major champion maintained a modest stance regarding the decision-making process.
“That’s obviously up to people a lot more powerful and important than me,” McIlroy stated during his post-round interview.
Rory McIlroy has revealed it would be a huge honour to be knighted
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“But I mean, if it were to happen one day, it would be a very proud moment in my life.”
The Holywood native has enjoyed a remarkable 2025 campaign that began with his long-awaited Masters triumph in April, making him just the sixth player to achieve golf’s career Grand Slam.
His stellar year continued with victories at the Players Championship in March and the Amgen Irish Open on home soil in September.
McIlroy also played a pivotal role in Europe’s Ryder Cup success at Bethpage Black, New York, marking the team’s first victory on American soil since 2012 and his sixth appearance in the biennial contest.
The world number two now stands on the verge of claiming his seventh Race to Dubai crown, which would place him one behind Colin Montgomerie’s record tally.
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McIlroy’s championship aspirations received a significant boost following his six-under-par 66 on Thursday, which featured exceptional approach play and wedge work around the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The defending champion began with three consecutive birdies and accumulated eight in total, leaving him two strokes behind American leader Michael Kim.
His nearest Race to Dubai competitor, Marco Penge, struggled to a two-over 74, effectively ending the Englishman’s mathematical chances of overtaking McIlroy in the season-long standings.
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“I felt like that was probably one of the best sort of approach play rounds I’ve had in a long time,” McIlroy reflected.
The performance marked his fifteenth round of 66 or better at the venue.
Only two golfers have previously received knighthoods – three-time Open champion Henry Cotton in 1987 and six-time major winner Nick Faldo.
McIlroy already holds an MBE, awarded in 2012 following his US Open victory the previous year.
Recent recognition includes being named Sportsman of the Year at the SJA British Sports Awards this week, whilst he remains a contender for December’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
The DP World Tour has also established the Rory McIlroy Award to honour the member accumulating the most Race to Dubai points across the year’s four majors.
Tyrrell Hatton remains McIlroy’s sole mathematical challenger for the Race to Dubai title but must win whilst hoping McIlroy finishes outside the top eight.
