Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after an extremely hectic start to 2026, but the internationally‑known singer hopes that his upcoming world tour will finally give him the chance to spend more time on the fairways. Earlier this week the former One Direction front‑man took centre stage at the Royal Lytham & St Annes pro‑am, which was held just before the AIG Women’s Open and was broadcast live on Sky Sports.
He shared the tee with Solheim Cup standout Maja Stark, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and social‑media personality Georgia Ball. Horan is a passionate golfer who entered the event playing off a ten‑handicap, a figure that has risen from his usual "around eight" when he can fit golf into his schedule more regularly.
He expressed genuine excitement at the opportunity to walk the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, a venue that sits high on the bucket‑list of many golfers. "I’d never had the privilege of playing this place before and Royal Lytham & St Annes is obviously one of those bucket‑list places," 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." The timing of his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, which dropped on June 5, has left little room for golf.
The record’s release, coupled with a string of promotional appearances, has meant Horan has only managed 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 return to the game after a dry spell to picking up a set of sledgehammers: "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" itinerary kicks off in Birmingham on September 22 and will sweep across the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe throughout the autumn. The schedule then heads to Australia in February before moving on to a series of North‑American dates from March through May.
Horan explained how the structure of a touring calendar actually creates more golfing opportunities than a packed promotional sprint. "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 eager to return to Australia, hoping to play a couple of courses on the famed Sandbelt.
"I played Royal Melbourne the last time, so Kingston Heath or something would be lovely down there," he added. "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 game, Horan is also the founder of Modest!
Golf and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021. He frequently champions the sport’s inclusive nature and highlights the mental and physical benefits that golf can bring to people of all ages and abilities. The AIG Women’s Open, now enjoying a prize fund that has more than tripled since its 2018 edition at Royal Lytham, showcases the rapid growth of women’s professional golf.
Horan praised the tournament’s evolution, noting how the event’s stature has risen dramatically in recent years. "It’s mad and I think in the last five or six years, this event [AIG Women’s Open] 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, offering a new "Featured Groups" segment that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m.
The weekend sees live broadcasts of the third and fourth rounds starting at midday. Viewers can watch the tournament live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the action without a contract, ensuring fans have ample opportunity to follow the competition. In summary, while Horan’s handicap may have slipped due to a packed schedule, his upcoming world tour is set to provide the structure and downtime he needs to get back into a regular golf rhythm.
By aligning his days off with prime golfing locations, he hopes to both enjoy his favorite pastime and continue promoting the sport he loves, all while delivering unforgettable performances for fans around the globe.