Sir Keir Starmer has refused to step in over Rory McIlroy being passed over for a knighthood, despite the Northern Irish golfer securing consecutive Masters titles.
McIlroy was overlooked in the New Year Honours after an intervention by tax officials.
The 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year represented the most conspicuous absence from the honours, having achieved what no European golfer had managed before when he completed the career grand slam by winning all four major championships.
On Monday, it remained unclear whether the issues that led to his exclusion had been addressed, with McIlroy’s representative offering no response to enquiries, while HMRC and the Cabinet Office refused to comment
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman made clear that decisions on honours rest with independent expert committees rather than the Government.
When questioned about whether McIlroy might receive a knighthood if any tax matters remained outstanding, he told The Telegraph: “We never comment on honours, and that is a question for the committee not for me.”
The spokesman acknowledged he was unaware whether Sir Keir had watched McIlroy become just the fourth player in history to claim back-to-back Masters victories and only the second European after Sir Nick Faldo to amass six major titles in the modern era
He added: “But, clearly, it’s a fantastic result for Rory McIlroy, tremendous achievement and a huge, huge achievement to have done it in successive years.”
McIlroy, who received an MBE following his maiden major triumph in 2011, became the first Sports Personality of the Year recipient in nearly 10 years to be overlooked for an honour in the same calendar year.
The precise nature of McIlroy’s honours dispute remains unclear, although in 2015, HMRC investigated whether he and others had avoided tax through the Business Premises Renovation Allowance program.
There is no suggestion of any illegal activity, and nothing indicates McIlroy ever intentionally evaded his tax responsibilities.
The Northern Ireland Executive at Stormont nominated McIlroy for a knighthood last year.
Donald Trump has declared his enthusiasm for watching Rory McIlroy compete at his Florida venue during the 2026 Cadillac Miami Championship, though the US president may find himself disappointed.
Trump was among the earliest prominent voices beyond the golfing world to offer congratulations after McIlroy successfully defended his Masters title, joining an elite group alongside Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as only the fourth player to retain the green jacket.
Characteristically, the president incorporated a mention of his own Trump National Doral Blue Monster course into his congratulatory remarks.
Yet McIlroy, now a six-time major champion, has signalled he intends to be highly selective about PGA Tour signature events, raising doubts over his participation.
Throughout 2025, the Northern Irishman opted to miss multiple signature events, explaining his decision stemmed from wanting greater quality time with his family whilst concentrating solely on golf’s four major championships.
McIlroy has adopted a measured approach to his schedule, aiming to prevent the exhaustion that comes from an overcrowded calendar.
Before his Masters triumph, he sat out three consecutive tournaments — the Valspar Championship, Texas Children’s Houston Open and Valero Texas Open — dedicating that period instead to intensive preparation at Augusta National.
Speaking to The Guardian ahead of the Masters, McIlroy pointed to Justin Rose’s career as inspiration for his approach.
“He is still competitive at 45,” he said.
“I would like to think if I do the right things, pace myself and play the schedule that suits, not playing a ton of golf to stop me being burnt out every year, that I can get to that point as well.”
The 36-year-old added: “I don’t want to say the tour stuff is ‘less important’.
“But at the same time if I have 10 years left and I really want to prioritise the majors then the other tournaments are great to play in, you want to win them.
“It is just that every time I play in a PGA Tour event I have one eye on what I need to do for the next few weeks, leading into majors.”
The PGA Championship begins on 14th May, with several tournaments scheduled beforehand including the RBC Heritage Championship, the Cadillac Miami Championship and the Myrtle Beach Classic.
McIlroy has not yet confirmed his participation in any of these events leading up to the second major of the year.
The Northern Irishman lifted the Wanamaker Trophy twice previously, claiming victories in 2012 and 2014.
However, his 2025 campaign at the championship proved disappointing, finishing tied for 47th place, some 14 shots adrift of winner Scottie Scheffler.
Given his stated commitment to arriving fresh for major championships, and his recent decisions, Trump’s hopes of seeing McIlroy at Doral may well go unfulfilled
Meanwhile, McIlroy was understandably jubilant after winning the Masters in front of his parents, wife Erica Stoll and their five-year-old daughter Poppy.
Whether he can add more trophies to his growing haul, in the months and years that follow, remains to be seen.
