Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA has called on King Charles III to confer a knighthood on Rory McIlroy following his historic back-to-back Masters victories at The Masters Tournament.

McIlroy has now cemented his place among the greatest golfers in history, becoming just the fourth man ever to win back-to-back Green Jackets, and only the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam.

Jon Burrows MLA said:

“There is only one Rory McIlroy. What he has achieved over the course of his career - and now with back-to-back victories at Augusta is the stuff of legend.

“To win the Masters once is extraordinary. To defend it places him in the rarest company in the history of sport. To have also completed the career Grand Slam, something only six men have ever done, confirms beyond doubt that Rory McIlroy is one of the greatest golfers of all time.

“But more than that, he is quite simply the greatest athlete Northern Ireland has ever produced.

“We are living in an era of a true sporting icon, a living legend. Rory transcends golf. He is an ambassador for Northern Ireland and for the United Kingdom, representing us across the world with humility, professionalism and class.

“He inspires people from every background and every community. In a place that can too often feel divided, Rory McIlroy unifies. He gives us all something to celebrate together.

“His impact goes far beyond sport. He is a major draw for golf tourism in Northern Ireland, helping showcase our world-class courses and bringing global attention to our economy and our people.

“A knighthood is the highest honour our nation can bestow. In Rory McIlroy, we have a figure whose achievements, character and contribution make the case overwhelming.

“My predecessor Mike Nesbitt was right to call for this honour after Rory completed the Grand Slam. After these back-to-back Masters victories, the case is now simply unanswerable.

“It is time for King Charles III to recognise one of the greatest sportsmen these islands have ever produced.”