You know a sports movie hits different when it mirrors the chaos of real life. That’s exactly what “Happy Gilmore 2” does—not just with the return of Sandler’s beloved, rage-fueled character, but with a not-so-subtle nod to the fractured state of professional golf.
The film introduces the “Maxi Golf Tour,” a fictional rival league that’s all flash, power drives, and gimmicky holes straight out of a putt-putt course. If that sounds familiar, it’s because that’s basically LIV Golf in disguise. And in a twist that feels oddly aspirational, both PGA Tour and LIV stars—Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and more—team up on screen to save the traditional tour.
“We just wanted to make some sort of reason that they’re all together,” Sandler told Front Office Sports, hinting that he may have written the ending many fans are hoping for in real life: unity.
A Cameo Cavalcade—and a Lot More
But these aren’t your run-of-the-mill celebrity cameos. According to Full Swing executive producer Chad Mumm—who helped secure over two dozen of the game’s biggest names—these players play key roles in the plot. That’s right: 27 stars, all rallying to protect “regular golf” from extinction. That’s some serious wish fulfillment for fans who’ve watched the sport splinter since LIV’s arrival in 2022.
Mumm described the casting effort as “a little cajoling,” but said the goal was to make sure it didn’t feel like a gimmick. “We just tried to write stuff that we thought they’d have a good time doing,” Sandler added.
And based on early buzz, the players did more than just show up. They leaned in. They had fun. And most importantly, they stood side by side—something the golf world hasn’t seen much of lately.
A Fairway Fantasy With Real Implications?
Look, Happy Gilmore 2 is a comedy. But tucked beneath the slapstick is something fans and players alike have been craving: a return to normalcy. A Tour where the best players, no matter the logo on their shirts, face off week after week.
It’s been more than two years since the PGA Tour and LIV agreed to “unify.” Yet, the merger talks have stalled, the lawsuits have dragged on, and the fans remain stuck in limbo. But in Sandler’s world, there’s a different vibe—a hopeful one. On screen, the game is fun again. The rivalries are friendly. And everyone wants the same thing: to compete.
Maybe it’s just Hollywood magic. Or maybe Happy Gilmore 2 is teeing up something a little bigger than laughs. At the very least, it’s a reminder that golf is better when everyone’s playing the same game.
