Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the internationally‑famous singer hopes his forthcoming world tour will grant him more opportunities to get back on the links. Earlier this week Horan fronted the pro‑am at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the traditional venue for the AIG Women’s Open, in a live Sky Sports broadcast. He teamed up with Solheim Cup standout Maja Stark, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and social‑media personality Georgia Ball for the charity‑focused round.
A passionate golfer, Horan entered the event playing off a 10 handicap – a rise from the "around eight" he usually posts when he can swing a club more regularly. The former One Direction front‑man was clearly thrilled to test himself on one of the most storied courses on the Open circuit. "I’d never had the privilege of playing this place before and Royal Lytham & St Annes is obviously one of those bucket‑list places," Horan 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 the pro‑am coincided with the promotion of Horan’s fourth studio album, Dinner Party, which dropped on June 5. The record has already secured a No.
1 slot in several markets, and the promotional schedule has left little room for a regular golf routine. "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‑eighties – it’s a tough one for me to get into." Horan likened his occasional return to the course to picking up a set of sledgehammers after a break: "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 to Australia in February before moving on to a North American swing from March through May.
Horan explained that the structured nature of touring actually gives him more flexibility to fit in rounds of golf than the chaotic promotional period does. "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 expressed particular excitement about returning 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," Horan noted. "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 a founder of Modest!
Golf and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021. He frequently champions the sport’s inclusive nature and its mental and physical benefits, using his platform to encourage fans of all ages to pick up a club.
The AIG Women’s Open itself has undergone a dramatic transformation since it was last held at Royal Lytham in 2018. The prize fund has more than tripled, reflecting the rapid growth and rising professionalism of women’s golf. Horan praised the tournament’s evolution, saying, "It’s mad and I think in the last five or six years this event has just gotten huge.
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 continues to be the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, expanding its coverage with a new "Featured Groups" segment that launches at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf.
Full live coverage begins at 1 p.m., with rounds three and four streamed from midday over the weekend. Fans can watch the competition live on Sky Sports Golf or stream via the Sky Sports app without a contract, ensuring that the growing audience for women’s golf can follow every putt and drive. In summary, while Horan’s busy music schedule has temporarily nudged his handicap higher, his upcoming tour offers a structured calendar that should allow him to squeeze in more rounds, especially in locations renowned for their courses. Whether he’s teeing off at Royal Lytham, chasing birdies on Australia’s Sandbelt, or fitting in a quick round before a show in the United States, Horan’s commitment to the sport remains evident, and his advocacy helps shine a spotlight on the continued rise of golf worldwide.