Rory McIlroy Teases His Appearance in Happy Gilmore 2 and Shares a Warning with Viewers

"'Happy Gilmore' was the golf movie for me growing up. I can recite pretty much every line," the golf pro said while on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"

Rory McIlroy, HAPPY GILMORE 2. Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore in Happy Gilmore2
Rory McIlroy teased his appearance in "Happy Gilmore 2" starring Adam Sandler. Credit :

Richard Heathcote/Getty; Netflix

Rory McIlroy had a word of warning for fans about his upcoming cameo in Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore 2.

The Masters champion is set to make an appearance in the long-awaited sequel to Sandler's 1996 classic golf film, which premieres on Netflix on July 25. During a Thursday, May 1 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, McIlroy opened up about the movie.

While McIlroy was clearly excited to appear in the movie, he wanted viewers to know that he's "a much better golfer than I am an actor."

Despite his joke, McIlroy stressed how special the opportunity was for him.

"Happy Gilmore was the golf movie for me growing up," he told Fallon. "I can recite pretty much every line. So the fact that I got the opportunity to do that was awesome."

And working with Sandler was the icing on the cake, McIlroy added.

"Sandler is, like, the best," the five-time major champion said. "He's the absolute best."

"I felt like Happy Gilmore 2 for him was like a pro-am," McIlroy said. "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."

HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2
Adam Sandler and Rory McIlroy on the set of "Happy Gilmore 2.".

Scott Yamano/Netflix

Happy Gilmore 2 is bringing back original cast members Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen and Ben Stiller. They'll appear alongside other newcomers including Travis Kelce and Bad Bunny, the latter of whom will play Sandler's caddie.

Netflix officially confirmed news that a sequel was in the works last May.

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Specific details about the movie's plot are still under wraps. However, during an August 2024 appearance on Kelce's New Heights podcast, Sandler gave some hints.

"The movie itself picks up from an older guy who played golf a long time. Some stuff goes on in his life, and he's different — he's a bit of a mess," the comedian said. "And then we try to get his life cooking again."

Speaking to Fallon on Thursday, McIlroy revealed that he had heard from Tiger Woods, who formally welcomed him into an exclusive club after he finally won the Masters last month.

Besides Woods and McIlroy, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Gene Sarazen are the only golfers ever to win all four major tournaments,

"Out of anyone there, how many people can actually say they're in Happy Gilmore 2 with Adam Sandler?" Fallon joked.

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