Golf prodigy Rory McIlroy, who this year became the youngest US Open champion for 88 years, aged just 22, has another reason to celebrate today – he receives an MBE in the New Year Honours.

McIlroy had a whirlwind rise to the pinnacle of golf this year and teamed up with his girlfriend, world tennis number one Caroline Wozniacki, to form sport's latest golden couple.

He joins fellow Northern Irish golfer Darren Clarke, who triumphed at this year's Open at the age of 42, on the list. Clarke gets an OBE.

Retired international umpire Harold "Dickie'' Bird, 78, of Barnsley, south Yorkshire, gets an OBE for services to cricket and charity.

Former Formula 1 motor racing world champion Nigel Mansell, 58, president of charity UK Youth, gets a CBE for services to children and young people.

An OBE goes to It's a Knockout host Stuart Hall, 82, for services to broadcasting and charity. The veteran broadcaster still delights soccer fans with his eccentric and colourful match reports for Radio 5 live.

The Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Giles Clarke, is being made a CBE.

And the MBE for Chris Paterson, 33, Scotland's most capped player, comes a week after he announced his retirement from international rugby.

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