Rory McIlroy is on the brink of being knighted after his historic Masters victory, with increasing calls for the golfer to be awarded the highest civilian honor.
Mirror Sport U.S. sources reveal that the Northern Irishman is a top contender for the UK New Year Honors list, following his career-defining win on Sunday that completed golf's coveted Grand Slam.
McIlroy has joined an elite group of only six men in history - and the first from Europe - to achieve this feat, standing alongside legends such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. The golfer, who was appointed MBE in 2012 for services to sport, is now on the verge of receiving the UK's most prestigious individual title.
Although the King's Birthday Honours list for June is nearly finalised, senior figures believe that his name could be fast-tracked for consideration if Downing Street backs the nomination.
Celebrations have broken out across Northern Ireland, where official events are expected to mark McIlroy's homecoming, including calls for him to receive the Freedom of the Borough of Ards and North Down.
Local councillors will convene this week to discuss the best way to honour the five-time major winner, whose dramatic play-off victory over Justin Rose at Augusta is being celebrated as one of the greatest sporting moments in recent memory.
Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionists, hailed Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, placing his legacy above the region's most legendary athletes. "For a country the size of Northern Ireland, it is remarkable how many sports people have become icons in their fields-George Best, Mike Gibson, Mary Peters. Rory McIlroy has just trumped all of them," he proclaimed.
"This universally popular figure deserves the highest praise the nation can bestow, and a knighthood is just that."
First Minister Michelle O'Neill expressed that all of Northern Ireland is "bursting with pride" following McIlroy's recent triumph, calling for an unprecedented "biggest homecoming celebration possible.
"We all were behind him every step of the way," O'Neill noted. "His journey is one of incredible perseverance and determination-he shows young people everywhere that if you keep going, you can make your dreams a reality. I look forward to welcoming Rory home with the reception he deserves."
McIlroy, now residing in Florida, shared post-victory that he's excited about returning home to celebrate with his parents, Gerry and Rosie. His origins are often fondly recalled by McIlroy; he first swung a golf club in Holywood, where many locals feel more should be done to publicly acknowledge his impressive feats.
Holywood councillor Linzi McLaren expressed her desire for a lasting tribute to reflect the achievement, stating: "I would dearly love something lasting and significant to reflect the achievement," and "If you drive through Holywood, you wouldn't even know he is from there. He has put this town on the world map."
McLaren also mentioned that potential tributes could include naming a street or public square after McIlroy, or establishing a golf bursary in his name to support aspiring players from Northern Ireland.
Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, stated that the responsibility now lies with Stormont to arrange an appropriate public tribute. "Given that only a handful of golfers in the world have ever achieved this feat, attention will now turn to how this success will be marked," he said.
McIlroy's victory has garnered international acclaim, including a congratulatory message from King Charles, who described the win as "historic."
If McIlroy were to be knighted, he would be only the third golfer to receive the honor. Sir Nick Faldo, the most successful British golfer of all time with six Major titles, received a knighthood in June 2009 despite never completing the grand slam. Henry Cotton was posthumously knighted a year after his death in 1987.
This was reported in some media as a "posthumous knighthood" because he had passed away by the time it was publicly announced. However, the Queen had approved the award and he had accepted it, before his death.
