Rory McIlroy made his debut in the entertainment world with a cameo appearance in Happy Gilmore 2, playing himself alongside Adam Sandler. Despite his significant role, the 2025 Masters winner has not yet watched the film as he currently competes in the BMW Championship and prefers to avoid seeing his own acting performance.
During a recent interview shared by Kate Mackz on Instagram, McIlroy revealed that although he plans to watch the movie soon, he remains hesitant because he does not want to see himself acting. He described working with Sandler as a fantastic experience but made it clear that he intends to focus on golf rather than pursue further acting roles.
“Yeah, so I haven’t even watched the movie yet because I don’t want to see myself trying to act. I’m going to try to watch it this week, maybe, but it was an amazing experience. Adam Sandler is like such a nice guy, but I’m not going to give up my day job anytime soon,” mentioned McIlroy.
Insights into McIlroy’s Interaction with Other High Achievers
In the same interview, Kate Mackz asked McIlroy how he feels about meeting other top professionals outside of golf. The golfer expressed his admiration for excelling individuals in various fields and enjoys learning from them. He specifically mentioned tennis greats like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer as people he respects deeply.
McIlroy discussed the value of these interactions, noting how being among the best in their areas offers unique opportunities to exchange knowledge and inspiration. He also shared an example of Novak Djokovic teaching him a breathing technique that helps control nerves in high-pressure moments, such as golf putts.
“Absolutely. I think that’s the great thing about being in this position. You get to be in the company of the people that are the best at what they do. So whether it’s Sandler in acting or whether you admire other sportspeople, and they’re at the top of their game. I love that. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and to be able to spend a little bit of time with them and even just ask them questions is really cool.”
Why Rory McIlroy Is Focused on Golf Over Acting
McIlroy’s comments make it clear that his priorities remain firmly in golf despite his positive experience on set for Happy Gilmore 2. By not watching his own cameo yet, he demonstrates a level of self-awareness and humility about stepping into a new arena like acting. The golfer has also dismissed speculation about appearing in future films, indicating he still has many years left to compete at the highest levels in his sport.
His willingness to engage with and learn from leading figures in entertainment and sports underscores a broad passion for excellence, though his dedication to golf remains resolute. For now, McIlroy’s cameo stands as a unique milestone, blending his athletic career with a brief foray into Hollywood.