Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the internationally‑known singer hopes that his forthcoming world tour will grant him more opportunities to return to the greens. Earlier this week, Horan led the pro‑am at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, a warm‑up event for the AIG Women’s Open that was broadcast live on Sky Sports.
He shared the fairway with Solheim Cup standout Maja Stark, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and social‑media influencer Georgia Ball, turning the occasion into a star‑studded showcase of sport and entertainment. The former One Direction member is a passionate golfer who played the Royal Lytham round with a ten‑handicap, a figure that has risen from his usual "around eight" when he can fit more rounds into his schedule. For Horan, stepping onto one of the most celebrated courses on the Open circuit was a dream realized.
"I’d never had the privilege of playing this place before and Royal Lytham & St Annes is obviously one of those bucket‑list venues," he told Sky Sports exclusively. "I loved it. To come here and play it in tournament condition, ahead of the AIG Women’s Open, was just an incredible experience. It’s a really tough test that is going to make for a good tournament.
I played alright, considering the lack of golf in my life at the moment." Horan’s fourth studio album, Dinner Party, dropped on June 5 and quickly climbed to the top of the charts, leaving little downtime for his other hobby. Between recording sessions, promotional appearances and a packed schedule of interviews, he has managed to fit in only a handful of rounds this year.
"I’ve probably played six rounds this year, which is not a lot for my handicap," he admitted. "The lack of golf means I’ve lost a couple of shots. I’ve been busy this year, so I haven’t played as much as I usually do.
I can either shoot six or seven over, or I can shoot mid‑eights – it’s a tough one for me to get into." He likened his recent return to the game to picking up a set of sledgehammers after a long break, but expressed confidence that he will regain his rhythm in the weeks ahead. "Sometimes it feels like I’m picking up a set of sledgehammers after a while out of it, but I’ll get back in the flow of it over the next few weeks.
I’ve got some time off now before I get into rehearsals for the tour, so I might play a bit of golf." The "Dinner Party Live On Tour" leg kicks off in Birmingham on September 22 and will sweep across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe throughout the autumn. The itinerary then heads Down Under in February before moving on to a North American swing from March to May. Horan explained that touring actually gives him a more predictable calendar, which can be leveraged to slot in additional rounds.
"Funnily enough, when you’re on tour, I know what my days look like and it’s all planned out," he said. "I can actually get a little bit more golf in than I would when I’m in the middle of a promotional run or something like that. I’ll try and get ahead, now that I know what the schedule looks like, and see if I can tick off a few courses on the way around." He is especially excited about the Australian segment, hoping to play on the famed Sandbelt courses.
"I’m excited to get back down to Australia, try and get a couple more on the Sandbelt down there. I played Royal Melbourne the last time, so Kingston Heath or something would be lovely down there. Then in the States, I’ll have to have a proper think.
On the tour, the days off are based on where there’s good golf – it’s the truth!" Beyond his personal love of the sport, Horan is also the founder of Modest! Golf and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021. In that role he actively promotes the game’s accessibility and the mental and physical benefits it offers, frequently speaking about how golf can bring people together across ages and backgrounds. The AIG Women’s Open itself has undergone a remarkable transformation since its last visit to Royal Lytham in 2018.
The prize fund has more than tripled, reflecting the rapid growth and commercial appeal of women’s golf. Horan praised this evolution, noting that the event’s stature now matches the quality of play on display.
"It’s mad and I think in the last five or six years, this event has just gotten huge," he observed. "It’s just massive and rightly so, because the quality of golf has never been better in the women's game, in my opinion.
We’ve got the best in the world here this week at a great test of golf, but it’s what they deserve. The quality of golf has translated to a huge event with many massive sponsors and the girls are getting the reward." Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, expanding its coverage this year with a new "Featured Groups" segment that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full live coverage of the later rounds. Fans can watch the tournament live on Sky Sports Golf or stream via the network’s contract‑free service, ensuring that the excitement reaches a broad audience.
In summary, while Horan’s recent golf form has suffered from a demanding professional calendar, his upcoming tour is set to provide a structured framework that will allow him to return to the sport more regularly. Whether he’s teeing off on the storied links of the UK, the rolling fairways of the Australian Sandbelt, or the iconic courses of the United States, Horan’s commitment to both his music and his golf game illustrates how a modern entertainer can balance multiple passions while championing the growth of the sport he loves.