Rory McIlroy is tipped to receive a knighthood as calls intensify for the golfer to be awarded the highest civilian honour. If the reigning Masters champion does receive the ultimate honour from the Royal Family, as he is expected to appear on the New Year Honours List for 2025, according to the Mirror, his wife, Erica Stoll, would also be granted a new title, Lady Erica. The 35-year-old has joined an exclusive club in becoming only the sixth man in history - and the first in Europe - to achieve a career Grand Slam. Winning all four golfing majors puts McIlroy in the same league as golfing greats like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. The golfer, who was honoured with an MBE in 2012 for his contributions to sport, is now within touching distance of another esteemed award - and while the King's Birthday Honours list for June is nearly finalised, McIlroy's name could be fast-tracked to the front if Downing Street backs the nomination. Celebrations are in full swing across McIlroy's birthplace of Northern Ireland, where official events are expected to mark his triumphant return. These ceremonies have also included calls for the Holywood man to be granted the Freedom of the Borough of Ards and North Down. Local councillors are planning to discuss the best way to honour the five-time major champion this week, whose thrilling play-off triumph against Justin Rose at Augusta is being celebrated as one of the most memorable moments in recent sporting history. Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt has lauded the golfer's legacy as exceeding that of even Northern Ireland's most iconic sports figures. "For a country the size of Northern Ireland, it is remarkable how many sports people have become icons in their fields - George Best, Mike Gibson, Mary Peters. Rory McIlroy has just trumped all of them," Nesbitt said. "This universally popular figure deserves the highest praise the nation can bestow, and a knighthood is just that." Meanwhile, First Minister Michelle O'Neill expressed that Northern Ireland is "bursting with pride" following McIlroy's victory and called for preparations to commence for the "biggest homecoming celebration possible." She added: "We all were behind him every step of the way. His journey is one of incredible perseverance and determination - he shows young people everywhere that if you keep going, you can make your dreams a reality. I look forward to welcoming Rory home with the reception he deserves." Shortly after his historic win, McIlroy - who now lives in Florida - shared his anticipation about returning to Northern Ireland to celebrate with his parents, Gerry and Rosie. The golfer has often spoken fondly of his beginnings in Holywood, where he first swung a golf club as a youngster, and many locals believe the town should celebrate his accomplishments in a much more public fashion. "I would dearly love something lasting and significant to reflect the achievement," said Holywood councillor Linzi McLaren. "If you drive through Holywood, you wouldn't even know he is from there. He has put this town on the world map." McLaren added that potential tributes are being considered, including dedicating a street or public area to McIlroy or setting up a golf scholarship in his honour to help budding golfers from Northern Ireland. Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister emphasised that Stormont now needs to organise an appropriate homage. "Given that only a handful of golfers in the world have ever achieved this feat, attention will now turn to how this success will be marked," he said. McIlroy's triumph has garnered global acclaim, with accolades coming from high places, including King Charles, who hailed the victory as "historic." Should McIlroy receive a knighthood, he would become just the third golfer given the Royal privilege. Despite never completing the Grand Slam, Sir Nick Faldo, Britain's most decorated golfer with six Major titles, was knighted in June 2009. Henry Cotton was awarded a knighthood, although the official announcement was made a year after his passing in 1987. Some reports referred to it as a "posthumous knighthood", which is somewhat misleading as Cotton had actually accepted the honour before his death, having been approved by the late Queen before his passing.