Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the worldwide music icon is optimistic that his forthcoming world tour will afford him more opportunities to return to the greens. Earlier this week the singer‑songwriter fronted the pro‑am at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the historic venue that will host 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 influencer Georgia Ball. A passionate golfer, Horan entered the event playing off a 10 handicap – a step up from the "around eight" he usually posts when he can hit the course more regularly.
He expressed genuine excitement at the chance to test himself on one of the most revered links in the Open 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 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 timing of his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, which dropped on June 5, left little room for the sport. The record’s success and the promotional circuit have meant Horan has only managed a handful of rounds this year. "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, 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 recent swing to "picking up a set of sledgehammers after a while out of it," but remains confident that a few weeks of rest before rehearsals will let him regain his rhythm.
"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." The "Dinner Party Live on Tour" schedule kicks off in Birmingham on September 22 and will sweep across the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe throughout the autumn.
The itinerary then heads to Australia in February before moving on to North America from March through May. Horan noted that touring actually gives him a more predictable calendar than a promotional sprint, allowing him to slot in golf when the geography lines up.
"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." He expressed particular enthusiasm for the Australian leg, hoping to play more of 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!" Beyond his personal pastime, Horan is deeply involved in the sport’s development. He founded the Modest! Golf brand and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021, championing the game’s accessibility at every level and frequently highlighting the mental and physical benefits that golf can provide. The AIG Women’s Open itself has grown dramatically since its last visit to Royal Lytham in 2018, with the prize fund more than tripling to a record‑breaking total for this year’s edition.
Horan praised the tournament’s expansion, noting the surge in sponsorship and the elevated status of women’s golf. "It’s mad and I think in the last five or six years, this event has just gotten huge," he remarked. "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 from 1 p.m. and live action for rounds three and four over the weekend. Fans can watch the tournament live on Sky Sports Golf or stream via the Sky Sports app with no‑contract options, ensuring the event reaches a broad audience. In summary, while Horan’s handicap may have taken a temporary hit due to his packed schedule, his upcoming tour promises a more structured routine that could see him return to his previous form on the course.
With a blend of music, travel and a genuine love for golf, the former One Direction frontman is set to balance his dual passions, taking advantage of every possible day off to tee up at some of the world’s most celebrated courses.