Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a jam‑packed start to 2026, but the worldwide music icon is hopeful that his upcoming world tour will grant him more opportunities to get back on the links. Earlier this week the singer‑songwriter headlined the pro‑am at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the traditional warm‑up venue for the AIG Women’s Open, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports.

He shared the fairways with Solheim Cup standout Maja Stark, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and social‑media influencer Georgia Ball. A passionate golfer, Horan entered the event playing off a handicap of 10 – a rise from the "around eight" he usually posts when he can tee up more regularly. He expressed genuine excitement at the chance to play 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 was tight. Horan released his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, on June 5, and the promotional push for the record has left little room for his beloved sport.

"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 the occasional return to the course after a hiatus 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 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" 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 tour actually offers more flexibility for golf than a hectic promotional campaign. "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 enthusiasm for the Australian leg, hoping to sample 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 playing, Horan is heavily involved in promoting the sport. He founded Modest!

Golf and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021, using his platform to champion the game at every level and highlight its mental and physical benefits. The AIG Women’s Open, which he helped spotlight during the pro‑am, has seen its prize fund more than triple since its last appearance at Royal Lytham in 2018, reflecting a surge in popularity and commercial backing.

"It’s mad and I think in the last five or six years this event has just gotten huge," Horan 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 continues to be 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 at 1 p.m. and live action from rounds three and four over the weekend. Fans can watch the tournament live on Sky Sports Golf, subscribe to the service, or stream without a contract. In summary, while Horan’s handicap may have taken a modest hit due to a demanding schedule, his passion for golf remains undiminished.

He looks forward to weaving tee times into his tour itinerary, exploring premier courses in Australia and the United States, and continuing to advocate for the sport’s growth. As the AIG Women’s Open approaches, his involvement underscores both his love for the game and his commitment to supporting the next generation of golfers.