Golf: Clarke, McIlroy receive honours

LONDON: Northern Ireland Major winners Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy were among several sportsmen named in Britain’s New Years Honours List. Clarke, 43, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire five months after winning the British Open, while reigning US Open champion McIlroy, 22, received the Member of the Order of the British Empire, the first rung on Britain’s honours ladder. “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.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2012.