Rory McIlroy is tipped to receive a knighthood following his historic win at the Masters, as calls intensify for the golfer to be awarded the highest civilian honour. The Mirror reports that insider sources believe the 35-year-old is a leading contender for the New Year Honours List in 2025. Should the Holywood man be handed the knighthood, it would mean his wife Erica Stoll would also receive a title and be formally known as Lady Erica. After his career-defining win on Sunday that completed McIlroy's career Grand Slam, he has already joined an exclusive club of just six members to have won all four majors in golf. The Northern Irishman became the first European - and only the sixth man in history - to win the Grand Slam, adding him to a list that includes icons like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. The golfer, who was awarded an MBE in 2012 for his contributions to sport, now stands on the brink of receiving the UK's most esteemed individual honour. Although the June King's Birthday Honours list is nearly finalised, high-ranking figures believe his name could be fast-tracked for consideration if Downing Street backs the nomination. This means that McIlroy would soon be known as Sir Rory, and his wife would also receive an esteemed honour, going by Lady Erica as her most formal title. Celebrations are in full swing across Northern Ireland, where official events are expected to mark McIlroy's triumphant return. One proposal is for him to be granted the Freedom of the Borough of Ards and North Down. Local councillors are meeting this week to decide how best to pay tribute to the five-time major champion. His nail-biting play-off victory against Justin Rose at Augusta was lauded as one of the most thrilling highlights in recent sports history. Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt has said that the golfer's achievements have now surpassed those of even the most legendary Northern Irish 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 triumph and called on everyone to gear up for the "biggest homecoming celebration possible." "We all were behind him every step of the way," she said. "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." McIlroy, who now lives in Florida, said after the triumph that he's eager to return to Northern Ireland to join in the festivities with his parents, Gerry and Rosie. The golfer has frequently discussed his upbringing in Holywood, where he first took up golf as a young lad. Many locals feel the town should do more to publicly recognise his accomplishments. "I would dearly love something lasting and significant to reflect the achievement," Holywood councillor Linzi McLaren said. "If you drive through Holywood, you wouldn't even know he is from there. He has put this town on the world map." McLaren suggested that potential tributes could include naming a street or public square after McIlroy, or setting up a golf bursary in his name to aid budding players from Northern Ireland. Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister stated that the "onus" now lies with Stormont to organise an appropriate public 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 victory has garnered global acclaim, including a congratulatory message from King Charles, who labelled the win as "historic." Should McIlroy receive a knighthood, he would become only the third golfer to be bestowed with the honour. Sir Nick Faldo, the most successful British golfer of all time with six Major titles, was knighted in June 2009 despite never completing the Grand Slam. Henry Cotton was awarded a knighthood, but the honour came after his death in 1987. Some media outlets reported it as a "posthumous knighthood" since he had already died when the announcement was made public. Nevertheless, the late Queen had approved the award, and Cotton had accepted it before his death.