Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the internationally‑renowned singer is hopeful that his forthcoming world tour will afford him more opportunities to get back on the links. Earlier this week he fronted the pro‑am at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the historic venue that will host the AIG Women’s Open, and the event 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 personality Georgia Ball, enjoying a rare chance to play a competitive round at one of the sport’s most revered courses. A passionate golfer, Horan entered the pro‑am playing off a handicap of 10, a noticeable rise from the "around eight" he usually posts when he can tee up more regularly.
He admitted he was thrilled to finally experience Royal Lytham & St Annes, a course that has long sat on his personal bucket list. "I’d never had the privilege of playing this place before and Royal Lytham & St Annes is obviously one of those bucket‑list places," he 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." When asked about his performance, Horan was modest. "I played alright, considering the lack of golf in my life at the moment," he said. The limited time on the course this year is largely due to the release of his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, which dropped on June 5.
The record’s launch, subsequent promotion and a string of high‑profile appearances have left few windows for a full swing routine. "I’ve probably played six rounds this year, which is not a lot for my handicap," Horan explained. "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 his occasional returns to the course to picking up a set of sledgehammers after a break – heavy and awkward at first, but manageable with practice. "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," he added. The "Dinner Party Live On Tour" itinerary kicks off in Birmingham on September 22 and will sweep across the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe throughout the autumn. The schedule then shifts to the Southern Hemisphere, with Australian dates slated for February, before crossing the Atlantic for a North American leg that runs from March through May.
Horan noted that the structure of a touring schedule actually grants him more flexibility for golf than a packed promotional calendar would. "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." He plans to use the downtime strategically, aiming to tick off a few notable courses as the tour moves from region to region. "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.
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 love of the game, Horan is deeply involved in its promotion. He founded Modest!
Golf, a brand that aims to make the sport more approachable, and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021. In that role he frequently highlights the mental and physical benefits of playing golf and encourages newcomers of all ages to give it a try. The AIG Women’s Open itself has undergone a dramatic transformation since its last visit to Royal Lytham in 2018.
Prize money has more than tripled, and the tournament now boasts a record‑breaking purse that reflects the rapid growth of women’s golf. Horan expressed admiration for the event’s evolution, noting that the surge in sponsorship and media attention is well deserved. "It’s mad and I think in the last five or six years, this event has just gotten huge," he observed.
"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, and they deserve the massive event and the reward that comes with it." Sky Sports continues to be the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, offering expanded coverage that includes a new "Featured Groups" segment starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, followed by full live action from 1 p.m. onward.
The network will also provide live broadcasts of the final two rounds over the weekend, giving fans ample opportunity to follow the competition. In summary, while Horan’s handicap may have risen due to a packed schedule, his passion for golf remains undiminished. He looks forward to integrating more rounds into his touring life, exploring iconic courses across three continents, and supporting the sport’s growth both on and off the course.
The upcoming tour and the AIG Women’s Open promise to deliver plenty of moments where music, sport, and personal ambition intersect, offering fans a glimpse into the multifaceted world of one of pop’s most enthusiastic golfers.