Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the internationally‑known singer hopes his forthcoming world tour will afford him more opportunities to return to the links. Earlier this week, Horan was the featured headliner of the pro‑am at Royal Lytham & St Annes, a prestigious warm‑up event for the AIG Women’s Open that was broadcast live on Sky Sports. He shared the fairway with Solheim Cup rising star Maja Stark, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and social‑media influencer Georgia Ball. The former One Direction front‑man is an enthusiastic golfer who entered the pro‑am with a handicap of 10, a noticeable rise from the "around eight" he usually posts when he can play more regularly.

Horan expressed genuine delight at the chance to test his game on one of the most historic venues on the women’s major 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 be here and play under tournament conditions, right before the AIG Women’s Open, was simply an incredible experience.

It’s a very demanding test and it will make for a great championship. I think I played alright, given how little golf I’ve been able to fit in lately." Horan’s fourth studio album, Dinner Party, dropped on June 5 and quickly climbed to the top of the charts.

The promotional whirlwind surrounding the record left him with very few windows for a round of golf. He admitted that he has only managed six rounds so far this year, a figure far below what he would normally need to keep his handicap stable. "I’ve probably played six rounds this year, which isn’t a lot for my handicap," he explained.

"The lack of golf has cost me a couple of strokes. I’ve been busy, so I haven’t been able to get out as often as I’d like. Right now I could shoot six or seven over par, or I could end up in the mid‑80s – it’s a tough spot for me." He likened his return to the game after a break to picking up a set of sledgehammers: "Sometimes it feels like I’m picking up a set of sledgehammers after being out of it for a while, but I’ll get back into the rhythm over the next few weeks.

I have a little downtime before rehearsals for the tour start, so I might squeeze in a few more rounds." The "Dinner Party Live On Tour" schedule kicks off in Birmingham on September 22 and will sweep across the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe throughout the autumn. The itinerary then heads down under in February, before moving on to North America from March through May.

Horan noted that the structure of a touring schedule actually gives him more flexibility to fit golf in than a relentless promotional campaign would. "Funnily enough, when you’re on tour you know exactly what your days look like and everything is planned out," he said.

"I can actually carve out a bit more golf than I could when I’m stuck in a promotional grind. I’ll try to get ahead now that I know the schedule, and see if I can tick off a few courses along the way." 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 I was there, so Kingston Heath or something similar would be lovely," Horan enthused. "Then in the States, I’ll have to think carefully. On tour, the days off are based on where there’s good golf – it’s the truth!" Beyond his own playing, Horan is deeply involved in the sport’s growth.

He founded the Modest! Golf brand and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021, regularly championing the benefits of the game for people of all ages and abilities.

He frequently uses his platform to promote golf’s inclusive nature and to encourage new participants. The AIG Women’s Open itself has undergone a dramatic transformation since it last visited Royal Lytham in 2018. The prize fund has more than tripled, setting a record for this year’s edition.

Horan praised the tournament’s rapid expansion and the increasing visibility of women’s golf. "It’s amazing – in the last five or six years this event has just exploded," Horan said. "The quality of the women’s game has never been better, in my opinion. We have the best players in the world competing on a fantastic test of golf, and they deserve the massive sponsorship and prize money that’s now on offer.

The girls are finally getting the recognition they merit." Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, offering an expanded "Featured Groups" coverage slot for the first time. Viewers can expect six extra hours of live action, with early morning group coverage beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m.

and live broadcasts of the final rounds on the weekend. Fans can follow the tournament live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the coverage without a contract, ensuring the event reaches the widest possible audience. Overall, Horan’s dual passion for music and golf illustrates how a busy touring schedule can still accommodate personal interests, especially when those interests are woven into the itinerary.

As his tour progresses, he plans to seize every chance to play on renowned courses, turning his days off into mini‑golf pilgrimages that keep his handicap in check and his love for the sport alive.