The Holywood man has had an incredible 2025
Rory McIlroy admitted that receiving a knighthood would be “an unbelievably massive honour” after turning the Race to Dubai title race into a foregone conclusion. The Masters winner sat eight shots clear of his closest challenger Marco Penge after his opening 66 at the DP World Tour Championships.
The five-time Major winner is bidding to claim the European No. 1 crown for a fourth consecutive season – and the seventh time in total.
There are growing calls for the Holywood star, 36, to be handed an even greater recognition following his career Grand Slam achievement and leading Europe to a memorable away Ryder Cup triumph.
Andy Murray was awarded his knighthood after three Grand Slam victories in 2019, while David Beckham, now 50, finally received the accolade at Windsor Castle this week, 12 years after retiring from football, reports the Irish Mirror.
When asked by Sky Sports about a potential knighthood during his post-round chat, McIlroy replied: “Look, if that were ever to happen, it would be an unbelievably massive honour.
“That’s obviously up to people a lot more powerful and important than me. But I mean, if it were to happen one day, it would be a very proud moment in my life.”
Only two golfers have been granted knighthoods – three-time Open winner Henry Cotton in 1987 and six-time Major champion Nick Faldo.
McIlroy made a blistering start in Dubai, carding birdies on his first three holes on his way to his 15th round of 66 or better on the Earth Course. This left him two shots behind American leader Michael Kim.
The defending champion said: “I got off to the perfect start. I felt like that was probably one of the best sort of approach play rounds I’ve had in a long time. My wedge play felt really sharp. Had a lot of good iron shots. I feel like I don’t want to sound like I’m that disappointed but I feel like I left a few out there. I missed a couple of short ones.
“Overall, it was a really solid start on a golf course that I’m very comfortable on and historically I’ve played very well on.'”.
His playing partner Penge needs a top-two finish to keep alive any chance of securing the Race to Dubai crown. Yet the world No.
29 carded five bogeys in his two-over 74 to leave himself in a tie for 46th in the 52-man field.
Tyrrell Hatton, who requires victory to overtake McIlroy, began with a 70 to sit in a tie for 22nd. Ryder Cup colleague and Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood sits just one shot off the pace after his spotless 65.
“I feel like it was a really good day,” said the FedEx Cup champion. “I drove it as well as I’ve driven it all year.”
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