Victory in The Masters last April completed the set of golf’s major titles, making him only the fifth in history to achieve the feat and the first from the UK.
There had been expectations after representations from the Executive Office that McIlroy, who was made an MBE after his first major victory in 2011, would be knighted.
His omission came as a bit of a surprise for avid golfer Gerry Kelly, who has spent the last year fondly recalling how the 9-year-old Rory made his TV debut on his Kelly Show back in 1999.
Gerry Kelly
“I’m simply not a fan of the honours system. It’s outdated, undemocratic and does not consistently reward merit, or the diversity of the Northern Ireland population,” said Gerry, who questioned the merit of some other sportspeople who did make this year’s honours list.
“No one should be given an award for simply doing their, often well-paid, job. But when five or six ‘lionesses’ were given MBEs, one has to ask why? Who actually judges these things?
“It would seem the original aim to actually reward exceptional public service has been replaced by fame and wealth.
“Considering Rory’s unique achievements in his sport and his undoubted charity work behind the scenes, then yes, of course he should have been recognised.”
Ronan Valley Golf Course in Magherafelt is where a lot of young golfers get their first taste of the sport.
The owner and manager of the course is Peter Tohill, who said: “When you look at his whole career he’s achieved everything.
“I can remember the time Rory stopped off here and played a round. He was just a cub at the time and when you see a talent like that, you follow his career.
“I’m not sure how much more he could have done.
Peter Tohill, owner and manager at Ronan Valley Golf Course in Magherafelt (right) with Zack Gavigan and Conor Tohill.
“It’s not only in the sport where he has had a huge impact, it’s off the course too. He’s been the ambassador for golf, the player everyone looks to. He’s carried a lot on his back and still come out winning.
“He also does a lot of work for charities in the background and doesn’t really shout about it,” he added.
Coming off course after his latest round at Ronan Valley, Ciaran Wright agreed.
“He should have been recognised for his achievements this year,” he said. “Look at the abuse he and his family put up with at the Ryder Cup, yet still he was the one the whole of Europe looked to as their leader on the course. Yes, he did win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, but even that took a good few years longer to come than it should have.”
The Daily Telegraph reported that a potential concern could have been McIlroy’s connection to a previous investment that was later examined by HM Revenue & Customs, though there has been no suggestion that McIlroy acted improperly or intended to avoid tax when he invested in a 2015 scheme.
Brendan Kidd with his grandson Connan Hegarty at Moyola Park Golf Club.
In Castledawson, the frost-covered fairways of Moyola Park didn’t put the seasoned amateurs off. Some had been out on the course since 6am.
“I suppose everyone’s saying it, but you do wonder if he’d been from London whether the knighthood would have been a straightforward ‘here you go, well done’,” said golfer Noel McMullan.
“But I do think a lot of people get these honours too soon, before they’ve completed their careers.
“It would have been a great way to cap off his year of achievement, but I’m sure it’ll come his way eventually.”
Craig McAuley added: “When you look at what he has done for his sport and for his country, then yes, he does deserve it. Apart from being a champion on an individual level, he’s had a huge effect on young people taking up the sport.”
Ready to start their round at Moyola Park, Noleen and Joseph McHugh said they have seen other sports stars honoured for their achievements, so asked, “why not Rory McIlroy”?
Golfers at Moyola Park in Castedawson, Noleen and Joseph McHugh
“He’s proved he is a champion and is right at the top of his sport,” said Joseph. “Sports stars like Andy Murray were still playing tennis as a ‘Sir’ and Lewis Hamilton is still in Formula One. Do Rory’s achievements not rank alongside them?
Noleen agreed. “He’s not from London,” she said. “You do wonder if that would have made a difference.”
Liam O’Neill believes Rory himself won’t be too bothered by the row that’s developed.
“He probably deserves the recognition,” he said. “It would have been a nice way to round off the year.
“You do see a lot of people on these lists and wonder what they did to deserve to get that honour. If his name was put forward, I don’t know why he wouldn’t have been included this time, but we don’t make these decisions.”