Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke were among several sportsmen named by the Queen in her traditional New Years Honours List

Clarke, 43, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), five months after winning the British Open at Royal St. George’s while reigning U.S. Open champion McIlroy, 22, received the Member of the Order British (MBE), the first rung on Britain’s honours ladder.

Darren Clarke awarded an OBE and Rory McIlroy an MBE in Queen's New Year's Honours List.

“I have had a fantastic year and this just caps it off,” said Clarke.

“It is a privilege to be recognised with an OBE. It is a lot to take in. I could not have envisaged the year I have had.”

McIlroy won the U.S. Open at the Congressional course in June with a record low score of a 16-under-par 268 and his achievement in winning a first major was all the more creditable after his final round collapse while leading in the preceding US Masters.

“I am delighted to be named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list,” said McIlroy.

“It is quite humbling to be included in such a list of worthy recipients.”