Rory McIlroy is set to make his big screen debut in the long-awaited ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ movie this summer – but he’s warned fans not to expect too much of his acting skills
Rory McIlroy has playfully cautioned fans to manage their expectations regarding his acting skills
He’s ventured into film with the eagerly anticipated ‘Happy Gilmore 2,’ set to premiere this summer. Fresh off his Masters victory, McIlroy joins a glittering lineup in the comedy sequel led by Adam Sandler, featuring golf stars Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau. Speaking of DeChambeau, he’s made a bold majors claim about LIV Golf that will baffle those playing on the PGA Tour.
The follow-up to the 1996 hit will see Sandler return as the unconventional golfer with a mighty swing, and McIlroy, along with his fellow golfers, made a splash in the movie’s trailer, which is slated for a Netflix release on July 25.
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However, during his chat on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ on Thursday, McIlroy was quick to downplay his silver screen talents while expressing admiration for Sandler’s comedic genius.
“I will preface this, the movie is coming out in July. I’m a much better golfer than I am an actor,” McIlroy laughed.
“Happy Gilmore was the golf movie for me growing up, and I can recite pretty much every line, so the fact that I got the opportunity to do that was awesome.
“And, as you know, Sandler is the best. He’s the absolute best. I said to him, ‘Golfers, we play these Pro-Ams a lot on Wednesdays and you’re trying to coach the amateurs through.’
“I felt like ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ for him was like a Pro-Am. He was producing, he was directing, he was acting, he was trying to coach us through what to do. It was a full-time job for him, but he’s a true pro.”
McIlroy’s take on Sandler resonated with world No. 1 Scheffler, who thoroughly enjoyed the chance to work alongside the comedic icon and pick up some tricks of the trade.
“It was a lot of fun. It was definitely very cool to see those guys in their element, all the work that it takes to make a movie,” Scheffler said last month.
“It was a lot of work.
“It was pretty intense watching them set up the sets and kind of watching Adam Sandler do his thing where he’s acting and he’s helping with directing, he’s helping with all levels of the production.
“It was pretty cool to feel the environment on set. They had a lot of fun, but they were also very serious about what they were doing so it was definitely very cool for me to see.”
Juggling film work may be an exciting diversion for McIlroy, Scheffler, and their peers, yet they won’t lose focus on the important events ahead, including the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow starting May 15, where McIlroy has eyes set on consecutive major victories.
