- McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a play-off on Sunday to win his first Green Jacket
- Councillors back in Northern Ireland are discussing how to honour the star
Rory McIlroy could be awarded the freedom of his hometown of Holywood after the Northern Irishman became only the sixth man to complete golf’s Grand Slam with his thrilling victory at the Masters.
There have been calls for the 35-year-old to be knighted in the upcoming King’s birthday honours while councillors back in Northern Ireland will hold talks on Monday night over how to mark McIlroy’s historic achievement less than 24 hours after his remarkable play-off victory over Justin Rose at Augusta.
Officials told Mail Sport that making McIlroy a ‘Freeman’ of the Borough of Ards and North Down was one consideration among many on the table ‘to recognise Rory, his achievements and legacy’.
Discussions are also understood to be taking place over setting up a bursary in his name to help up-and-coming golfers follow in his footsteps.
‘I would dearly love something lasting and significant to reflect the achievement,’ Holywood councillor Linzi McLaren told Mail Sport. ‘If you drive through Holywood you wouldn’t know he is from there which I would love to rectify.
‘It would be a real shame not to mark this occasion and celebrate a local lad on the world stage, even if it’s just to inspire others to dream big. He has put Holywood on the map.’
Rory McIlroy could be given the freedom of his hometown of Holywood after his stunning Masters triumph
McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam and ended his wait for a Masters title at Augusta
The Northern Irish star beat Justin Rose in a play-off after a dramatic final round on Sunday
After clinching the Green Jacket on Sunday night, McIlroy said he’d ‘literally made my dreams come true’ and urged others to seize theirs.
‘I would say to every boy and girl listening to this, believe in your dreams, and if you work hard enough and if you put the effort in, that you can achieve anything you want.’
UIster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt called on King Charles to knight McIlroy after claiming he’s now gone past the likes of George Best as Northern Ireland’s most revered sporting icon.
‘For a country the size of Northern Ireland, it is remarkable how many sports people have become icons in their fields,’ said Nesbitt. ‘Think George Best, Mike Gibson, and Mary Peters, to name just three.
‘Rory McIlroy has just trumped all of them, and with the Grand Slam monkey off his back, looks set for even more success.
‘This universally popular figure deserves the highest praise the nation can bestow, and a knighthood is just that.’
King Charles congratulated McIlroy for his ‘historic win’ while across the pond, President Trump hailed McIlroy’s ‘guts and stamina and courage’.
If McIlroy is to be knighted in the June birthday honours it would need Downing Street to push it through with the names already close to be finalised. It would be more likely for McIlroy, who was handed an MBE in 2022, to be knighted in the New Year’s honours list.
Members of McIlroy’s Holywood Golf Club celebrate after he sank the winning putt
McIlroy pictured in Holywood after returning home following his US Open triumph in 2011, his first major title
McIlroy’s heroics sparked bedlam at his home course of Holywood golf club, where the young McIlroy learned his game, with patrons staying after hours to watch him triumph 3,000 miles away.
Plans are already under way for a homecoming event organised by the club.
Mayor of Ards and North Down, councillor Alistair Cathcart told Mail Sport: ‘Rory has secured his position as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Having been in the same year as him at Sullivan Upper School, I am proud to say that he is one of our own.
‘The man from Holywood now has his Green Jacket and has won it all! We are looking forward to seeing him return home and celebrate with his home supporters.’
