Former world no. 1 Rory McIlroy leads the famous pro golfers who will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Netflix movie “Happy Gilmore 2” starring Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller.
Sandler and McDonald will reprise their roles as pro golf rivals “Happy Gilmore” and “Shooter McGavin” in the sequel to the hit 1996 comedy that McIlroy grew up watching.
McDonald, who plays golf as a hobby, was ecstatic to have worked with McIlroy and the rest of the pro golfers in the movie premiering on July 25 on Netflix.
Aaron AyusaHappy Gilmore 2 actor Christopher McDonald, who plays the role of Shooter McGavin, talks about the movie in a sit-down interview with Heavy Sports.
“It was ‘pinch-me’ time. These are heroes of mine,” McDonald told Heavy Sports in an exclusive interview during the launch of Subway’s all-new Happy Gilmore Meal and limited-edition collectible cups at Konnectgolf, an indoor golf club in downtown New York. “So I had a great time.
“I picked their brains and just, you know, try to hang out with them, like, be one of the boys. And they were also fans of mine. So that was a, it’s kind of a nice, a nice, relaxing, fun and also kind of tingly time, because these are some of the great golfers of the world right now.”
Aside from McIlroy, the other active and retired pro golfers in the movie include John Daly, Keegan Bradley, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Nelly Korda, Nancy Lopez, Collin Morikawa, Jack Nicklaus, Corey Pavin, Xander Schauffele, Paige Spiranac, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Lee Trevino and Will Zalatoris.
‘Happy Gilmore’ is Rory McIlroy’s Favorite Childhood Movie
McIlroy revealed to Jimmy Fallon at “Tonight Show” last month that “Happy Gilmore” was a part of his childhood.
“Happy Gilmore was the golf movie for me growing up,” McIlroy said. “I can recite pretty much every line. So the fact that I got the opportunity to do that was awesome.”
Halfway through 2025, McIlroy is already having a banner year. He just completed a career grand slam in April, becoming the only sixth golfer to win each of the four major championships in the modern era after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
And now he’s set to make his movie debut in what is expected to be another Sandler blockbuster hit featuring some of the Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Subway’s Treat to ‘Happy Gilmore’ and Golf Fans
McDonald also stars as “Shooter McGavin” in new Happy Gilmore-themed Subway ads. Subway also had a cameo appearance in the first movie so it was fitting that they, too, return for the sequel, according to the veteran actor.
“Well, Subway has gone above and beyond,” McDonald told Heavy Sports. “This time, they have great three different treats for the fans. They have the subwayhappyplace.com, where you can sign up and get to win great prizes and stuff. There’s also what they call the MVP rewards, where you can get more perks inside ‘Subway’s Happy Place’ like bonus entries into a weekly sweepstakes for a chance to win more than $1 million in prizes, including a custom golf cart, weekly cash prizes (delivered as Big Ass Checks like in the movie), and a golf resort trip for two.”
Aaron AyusaSubway’s Happy Gilmore Meal collectible cups featuring different fan-favorite characters from the movie franchise: Happy Gilmore, Shooter McGavin, Hal and a newcomer – Oscar.
On top of that, Subway is also giving away some instant win prizes like Subway Cash and Topgolf play codes. Fans can also collect four collectible cups with different fan-favorite character from the movie franchise: Happy Gilmore, Shooter McGavin, Hal and a newcomer – Oscar each time they upgrade for any combo or Meal of the Day to the Happy Gilmore Meal for $1 more starting July 10.
“I’m so glad they’re with us again,” McDonald told Heavy Sports. “They’re stepping up to the team.”
‘Shooter McGavin’ Actor Teases Movie Plot
While McDonald is bound by a non-disclosure agreement to talk about the plot of the upcoming movie, he teased why it will appeal to both hardcore and casual golf fans.
“It’s that the storyline is so interesting, and so of the moment, right now, with LIV golf and things like that, that it’s very timely,” McDonald told Heavy Sports. “I think that’s pretty cool. So, with all the other great golfers around, it was a complete blast to make and to watch these guys just practicing hitting them balls. I was going like, ‘How do they do it?’ Because they’re consistent. They hit it out in country mile and and there’s very funny setups, how they show off their talents. It’s a blast!”
McDonald teased golf fans that they are going to love the movie not just because McIlroy and their other favorite golfers are in it.
“I think the biggest takeaway is the heart of the movie,” McDonald told Heavy Sports. “That’s what Adam Sandler has been doing well for a few years now. It’s got all the actions, got all the humor, it’s got all the golf, but it also has a lot of heart. And that’s what gets the audience. I think emotion is love. That’s what gets the audience in all movies. And [Sandler] stepped up with that.”
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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