Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the internationally‑famous singer hopes that his forthcoming world tour will afford him more opportunities to get back on the links. Earlier this week Horan led the pro‑am at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the historic venue that will host the AIG Women’s Open, appearing live on Sky Sports alongside Solheim Cup competitor Maja Stark, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and social‑media personality Georgia Ball. The former One Direction front‑man is a passionate golfer, and for the pro‑am he played off a handicap of ten.
When he can swing more regularly, he usually sits around an eight, so the chance to tee off at one of the most revered courses on the Open circuit was a true bucket‑list moment for him. "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. "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 the promotion of that record, coupled with the final stages of his recent No 1 hit, left little room for practice rounds.
"I’ve probably played six rounds this year, which isn’t 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.
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 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 UK, 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 explained that the structure of a touring calendar actually gives him more leeway to fit in golf than a packed promotional run would.
"Funnily enough, when you’re on tour, I know what my days look like and it’s all planned out. 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 leg, hoping to add a few rounds 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!" Horan, who founded the Modest! Golf brand and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021, is a vocal advocate for expanding the game at every level and often highlights the personal benefits he derives from playing.
The AIG Women’s Open itself has seen a dramatic increase in prize money, more than tripling since the tournament was last held at Royal Lytham in 2018, and this year’s purse is a record‑breaking sum. Horan praised the rapid growth of the event. "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 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 at 1 p.m.
The weekend will see live broadcasts of rounds three and four starting at midday. Fans can watch the tournament live on Sky Sports Golf, subscribe to Sky Sports, or stream the action without a contract. Overall, Horan’s schedule illustrates how a musician’s touring life can be harmonized with a love for golf.
By strategically planning rest days around premier courses, he hopes to improve his handicap, enjoy some of the world’s most celebrated fairways, and continue championing the sport he admires.