Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after an incredibly hectic start to 2026, but the internationally‑known singer hopes his forthcoming world tour will finally give him a chance to get back on the greens. Earlier this week he fronted the pro‑am at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the traditional pre‑tournament event for the AIG Women’s Open, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports. Horan shared the fairway with Solheim Cup standout Maja Stark, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and social‑media influencer Georgia Ball.
The former One Direction frontman is a passionate golfer who played the pro‑am from a handicap of ten – a noticeable rise from the "around eight" he usually posts when he can swing a club more regularly. He was clearly thrilled to tee off on one of the most storied courses on the women’s major rotation. "I’d never had the privilege of playing this place before and Royal Lytham & St Annes is obviously one of those bucket‑list venues," Horan told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview. "I loved it.
To be here in tournament conditions, just before the AIG Women’s Open, was an incredible experience. It’s a demanding test that will produce a great championship. I played alright, considering how little golf I’ve been able to fit in lately." The timing of Horan’s appearance coincided with the promotion of his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, which dropped on June 5. The record has already secured another number‑one slot for the singer, and the promotional schedule has left him with very few windows for a round of 18 holes.
"I’ve probably only managed six rounds this year, which isn’t much for my handicap," he admitted. "The lack of play means I’ve lost a couple of strokes. I’ve been busy, so I haven’t been on the course as often as I’d like. I could end up shooting six or seven over par, or I might be in the mid‑80s – it’s a tough spot for me to get back into." Horan likened his recent return to the game to picking up a set of sledgehammers after a long break – heavy, unwieldy, but eventually manageable.
"Sometimes it feels like I’m swinging a sledgehammer after being out of the game for a while, but I’ll find my rhythm again 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 travel 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 explained that the structure of a tour actually provides more flexibility for golf than a non‑tour promotional sprint. "Funnily enough, when you’re on tour I know exactly what my days look like and everything is planned out.
I can actually fit in a bit more golf than I could during a hectic promotional run. I’ll try to get ahead now that I know the schedule and 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 getting out to Kingston Heath or something similar would be wonderful. Then in the United States I’ll have to think carefully about my options. On the tour, the days off are based on where there’s good golf – that’s the truth!" Beyond his personal game, Horan is also a dedicated advocate for the sport.
He founded Modest! Golf and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021, regularly championing the benefits of golf for people of all ages and abilities. His involvement reflects a genuine desire to grow the game at grassroots levels while also supporting its elite side.
The AIG Women’s Open itself has seen remarkable growth in recent years. Since the tournament was last held at Royal Lytham in 2018, the prize fund has more than tripled, creating a record‑breaking purse for this year’s edition.
Horan praised the expansion, noting how the event has become a showcase for the rising quality of women’s golf. "It’s crazy – in the last five or six years this tournament has just exploded," he said. "It’s massive, and rightly so, because the level of play in the women’s game has never been better, in my opinion.
We have the best players in the world competing on a great test of golf, and they deserve this kind of platform. The quality of the competition has attracted huge sponsors and the players 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 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. and live broadcasts of the final rounds over the weekend.
Fans can watch the tournament live on Sky Sports Golf or stream it without a contract, ensuring the event reaches a broad audience. Overall, Horan’s message is clear: while his touring commitments will keep him busy, they also open up opportunities to chase his golfing bucket list. By aligning his days off with the world’s finest courses, he hopes to improve his handicap, enjoy the sport he loves, and perhaps inspire other musicians and fans to pick up a club.