THE singer was in snapped alongside Rory McIlroy at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic ahead of Thurday’s opening round in the UAE

FORMER One Direction star Niall Horan was today spotted alongside Rory McIlory in Dubai.

The singer was in snapped with Holywood hotshow Rory McIlroy at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic ahead of Thurday’s opening round.

Niall Horan is the founder of Modest! Golf Management

Rory McIlroy and Niall Horan embrace in Dubai earlier today. Credit: INSTA @DPWORLDTOUR

The duo embraced on one of the practice greens at the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.

While the Mullingar native is a keen golfer himself, he also has a vested interest in the sport on the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour.

Horan owns a global management and marketing company for the world’s leading golf talent.

Modest! Golf represent English Ryder Cup star Tyrell Hatton, Italian ace Guido Migliozzi and Irish LPGA Tour star Leona Maguire to name but a few.

The company have offices in both LA and London and represent a wealth of talent across the major golf tours.

30-year-old Horan is often snapped at golf tournaments across the globe as the players he represents are often in action.

World number 14 Tyrell Hatton is in action this week in Dubai after jetting to the DP World Tour event from the PGA Tour’s Hawaii Swing of events.

Horan was snapped embracing four-time major winner Rory McIlroy who is yet again in Dubai this week after finishing runner-up on Sunday to Tommy Fleetwood at the Dubai Invitational.

The Northern Irishman held a one-shot lead in the United Arab Emirates as he took to the tee on the 18th.

However, disaster struck when McIlroy found the water from his tee-shot, opening the door for Fleetwood.

And when the 34-year-old dropped a bogey to leave himself on -18 and in a tie for second alongside South African Thriston Lawrence, Fleetwood sank a ten-footer to take the tournament.