Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the international pop icon is optimistic that his forthcoming world tour will grant him more opportunities to return to the links. Earlier this week, Horan was the headline act at the pro‑am event at Royal Lytham & St Annes, staged ahead of the AIG Women’s Open and 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.
The former One Direction frontman is a passionate golfer who entered the pro‑am playing off a ten‑handicap, a figure that has risen from his usual "around eight" when he can tee up more regularly. Horan 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 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 tough test that will produce a great championship.
I played alright, considering how little golf I’ve been able to fit in lately." The singer‑songwriter released his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, on June 5, and the promotional commitments surrounding that No. 1 record have left little room for rounds of golf.
He admitted that he has only managed six rounds so far this year – a modest amount for someone who typically plays far more often. "The lack of golf has cost me a few strokes," Horan explained. "I could end up shooting six or seven over par, or I might be in the mid‑80s – it’s a tough spot to get back into.
Sometimes it feels like I’m picking up a set of sledgehammers after a break, but I’ll find my rhythm again in the next few weeks. I have some downtime before rehearsals start for the tour, so I’ll probably squeeze in a few more rounds." His "Dinner Party Live On Tour" schedule kicks off in Birmingham on September 22 and will travel across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe throughout the autumn. The itinerary then moves to Australia in February, followed by a North American leg from March through May. "Funnily enough, when you’re on tour you know exactly what your days look like – everything is planned," Horan added.
"That actually gives me a chance to fit in a bit more golf than when I’m in the middle of a promotional sprint. I’ll try to get ahead now that I know the schedule and tick off a few courses along the way." He expressed particular enthusiasm about the Australian swing, noting that the country’s famous Sandbelt courses are high on his wish list.
"I played Royal Melbourne the last time I was there, so a round at Kingston Heath or another Sandbelt gem would be amazing," he said. "When I get to the United States, I’ll have to think carefully about where to play. On 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 the Modest! Golf brand and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021, regularly championing the game’s benefits and encouraging participation at every level.
The AIG Women’s Open itself has seen remarkable expansion, with the prize fund more than tripling since its last visit to Royal Lytham in 2018. Horan praised the tournament’s evolution, noting the surge in sponsorship and the elevated status of women’s golf. "It’s amazing – over the past five or six years this event has become huge," he remarked. "The quality of the women’s game has never been better, and the tournament reflects that.
We have the best players in the world competing on a fantastic test of golf, and they deserve the massive stage and the rewards that come with it." Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, offering an expanded "Featured Groups" segment for the first time and delivering six additional hours of live coverage compared with previous years. The new coverage begins at 9 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, with full tournament action kicking off at 1 p.m. and live broadcasts of the final two rounds starting at midday over the weekend. Fans can follow the competition throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the action via Sky Sports’ contract‑free service, ensuring that the growing audience for women’s golf can watch every swing, putt and triumph as the world’s top female players vie for the coveted title.