Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the international pop star is optimistic that his forthcoming world tour will grant him more opportunities to hit the links. Earlier this week, Horan fronted the pro‑am at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the venue for the AIG Women’s Open, in a live Sky Sports broadcast. He shared the fairway with Solheim Cup standout Maja Stark, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and social‑media personality Georgia Ball.
A passionate golfer, Horan entered the event playing off a ten‑handicap, 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 singer‑songwriter’s schedule has left little room for his hobby.
He released his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, on June 5, and the ensuing promotion and chart‑topping success have meant very few chances to practice his swing. "I’ve probably played six rounds this year, which is not a lot for my handicap," Horan 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 feeling of returning after a long break to "picking up a set of sledgehammers" – heavy, unfamiliar, and demanding a period of adjustment. Yet he remains confident that the upcoming tour will provide a more structured rhythm that includes dedicated days off for golf.
"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." The "Dinner Party Live On Tour" itinerary kicks off in Birmingham on September 22 and will sweep across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe throughout the autumn. In February, the tour heads down under to Australia, before moving on to a North‑American leg from March through May.
Horan is already eyeing iconic Australian courses, noting that after playing Royal Melbourne on his last visit, a round at Kingston Heath or another Sandbelt venue would be a dream. "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 own playing, Horan is deeply involved in the sport’s growth. He founded Modest!
Golf and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021, using his platform to champion the game at all levels and to highlight its mental and physical benefits. He praised the rapid expansion of the AIG Women’s Open, noting that prize money has more than tripled since the tournament was last held at Royal Lytham in 2018. "It’s mad and I think in the last five or six years this event has just gotten huge," Horan observed.
"The quality of golf in the women’s game has never been better, in my opinion. We’ve got the best in the world here this week at a great test of golf, and they deserve it.
The quality of play has translated to a massive event with huge sponsors and the girls are getting the reward." Sky Sports continues as the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, offering an expanded "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 rounds three and four on the weekend. Viewers can watch the competition live on Sky Sports Golf or stream via the no‑contract Sky Sports package. In summary, while Horan’s handicap has suffered from a lack of recent rounds, his upcoming world tour promises a more predictable schedule that will allow him to squeeze in quality golf whenever the itinerary lands near a reputable course.
Whether he’s teeing off on the historic dunes of Royal Lytham, the rolling fairways of the Australian Sandbelt, or a classic American layout, Horan intends to make the most of his downtime, reinforcing his commitment to both his music career and his love of the game.