The Ulsterman would follow Andy Murray and David Beckham as sporting legends to have received a knighthood, as he closes in on the Race to Dubai title
Rory McIlroy admitted getting knighted would be “an unbelievably massive honour” after turning the Race to Dubai title race into a procession. The Masters champion leads his closest challenger Marco Penge by eight shots after his opening 66 at the DP World Tour Championships.
The five-time Major winner is bidding to finish at the European No.1 for a fourth consecutive year – and the seventh in total.
And there are growing calls for the Ulsterman, 36, to be handed an even greater honour after completing his career Grand Slam and leading Europe to an away Ryder Cup win. Andy Murray was knighted after winning three Grand Slams in 2019 while David Beckham, now 50, finally received the honour at Windsor Castle this week 12 years after his retirement.
READ MORE: Golf star goes from betting ban to multi-million Rory McIlroy showdownREAD MORE: Rory McIlroy’s true feelings towards Kai Trump as president’s granddaughter makes pro debut
Asked by Sky Sports about a potential knightnood in his post-round interview, McIlroy said: “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 knighted – three-time Open winner Henry Cotton in 1987 and six-time Major winner Nick Faldo.
McIlroy went on an early charge in Dubai when he birdied his first three holes on his way to his 15th score of 66 or better on the Earth Course. It 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 to finish in the top two to have any chance of winning the Race to Dubai. But the world No.29 carded five bogeys in his two-over 74 to sit tied 46th in the 52-man field.
Tyrrell Hatton, who has to win to overtake McIlroy, started with a 70 to sit tied 22nd. Ryder Cup team-mate and Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood is just a shot of the lead after his bogey-free 65.
“I feel like it was a really good day,” said the FedEx Cup winner. “I drove it as well as I’ve driven it all year.”