Rory McIlroy is in line to be knighted after his Masters triumph but high-level discussions must take place before he is confirmed for upcoming honours lists.
The Northern Irishman appears most likely to be named in the new year’s list as honours will be close to being finalised for the King’s birthday list in June. Such a move will still need pushing through by Downing Street, however, as Honours officials are largely being instructed now to wait until athletes have retired.
McIlroy has represented Ireland rather than Great Britain at the Olympics but sources confirm there will be no issues with handing him the honour after he received the MBE in 2011.