Niall Horan, the former One Direction star and avid golf fan, has expressed his support for Justin Rose ahead of the 2026 Masters. Horan, who has attended the tournament annually since 2015, caddied for Rory McIlroy during the 2025 Masters Par 3 Contest. In a recent interview, Horan praised McIlroy's 2025 victory, calling it a significant achievement for the Irish golfer to complete the career grand slam after 17 attempts. However, Horan also expressed optimism for Rose, stating, 'I think Rosie's gonna go well this week, so fingers crossed for him.'
McIlroy's 2025 win marked his first major victory in 11 years and made him the sixth men's golfer to achieve a career grand slam. Rose, meanwhile, has three runner-up finishes in 20 Masters starts and is the only player in history to lose twice in a playoff without winning the tournament.
The 2025 Masters saw a dramatic playoff between McIlroy and Rose, with McIlroy emerging victorious. Horan acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment for McIlroy, noting how the golfer appeared more relaxed after securing the win. If McIlroy wins again in 2026, he would become the first golfer since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back Masters.
Meanwhile, ticket demand for the Masters has surged following McIlroy's victory. According to research, searches for Masters tickets have tripled year-on-year, with similar increases seen across other major tournaments. The surge in interest has been attributed to McIlroy's historic win, as well as other high-profile golf events like the Ryder Cup and the dominance of Scottie Scheffler.