Niall Horan’s golf handicap has slipped a bit after a hectic start to 2026, but the internationally‑known singer is counting on his forthcoming world tour to carve out more opportunities to hit the links. Earlier this week, Horan 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 personality Georgia Ball.
The former One Direction frontman is a passionate golfer who entered the event playing off a ten‑handicap, a figure that has risen from his usual "around eight" when he can swing the club more regularly. Horan expressed genuine excitement at the chance to play one of the most revered 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," 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. I played alright, considering the lack of golf in my life at the moment." The timing of the pro‑am coincided with the release of Horan’s fourth studio album, Dinner Party, which dropped on June 5.
The record has already secured a No. 1 spot on several charts, and the promotional schedule has left little room for his favorite sport. "I’ve probably played six rounds this year, which isn’t 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 occasional return to the course after a break to picking up a set of sledgehammers: "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 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" leg kicks off in Birmingham on September 22 and will sweep across the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe throughout the autumn.
The itinerary then shifts to Australia in February, before moving on to a North‑American swing from March through May. Horan explained that the structure of a touring schedule actually affords him more flexibility for golf than a packed promotional run 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. 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 highlighted a few dream destinations: "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 enthusiasm, Horan is also a committed advocate for the sport.
He founded the Modest! Golf brand and has served as an R&A ambassador since 2021, using his platform to promote the game’s inclusivity and the mental and physical benefits it offers players of all ages. His involvement aligns with the rapid growth of women’s golf, a trend he praised while discussing the AIG Women’s Open. "It’s mad and I think in the last five or six years, this event has just gotten huge," Horan observed.
"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." The tournament itself has seen a dramatic increase in prize money, more than tripling since its last appearance at Royal Lytham in 2018, and this year’s edition boasts a record‑setting purse. Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster for the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, expanding its coverage with a new "Featured Groups" segment that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, followed by full live coverage from 1 p.m. and additional weekend rounds.
Horan’s schedule, his love of the game, and his role as a promoter of golf all converge to illustrate how modern entertainers can balance demanding careers with personal passions. As his tour progresses, fans can expect him to seek out premier courses wherever his itinerary lands, turning each day off into a chance to play at some of the world’s most celebrated fairways. This synergy between music and sport not only enriches Horan’s own life but also shines a spotlight on golf’s growing appeal across diverse audiences.