Many consider Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme to be one of the best films of 2025, and potentially a classic sports movie. However, Adam Sandler, known for his role in Uncut Gems, also delivered a standout performance in Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel fans had been waiting for. While Sandler was great as usual, John Daly, who played his golfing partner and best friend in the movie, truly stole the show.
As a big fan of the original, I always wondered why Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t in that ’95 movie! Turns out, Adam Sandler and Dale were already friends – Dale was actually known for that whole aggressive driving style that Sandler loved. I recently learned from an interview with Hard Rock Bet that Dale wanted to be in Tamra Davis’ film, but he just happened to be nowhere near where they were shooting at the time. He explained it himself, saying…
Adam and I have been friends for years. I really wanted to be involved in the first project, but I was traveling abroad at the time and couldn’t make it work. I told him that if he ever did another one, I’d definitely be in. It was a fantastic experience, and I felt honored to participate. Adam is an amazing person with a huge heart, and I appreciate that he includes his friends in his films – everyone involved is so talented. It truly was a pleasure being a part of it.
As a film critic, looking back at Happy Gilmore, I’ve often wondered where John Daly would even fit into the story. Honestly, it wouldn’t have worked. Imagine if the actual tournament winner was already Happy’s neighbor and a successful golfer? It would’ve completely undercut the movie’s central conflict! Happy could’ve just asked Daly for the money to save Grandma, and the whole plot would’ve fallen apart.
Even though it would have been great to see him in the film, it wasn’t possible. Chris Daly was actually out of the country while it was being filmed. The movie came out in February 1996, meaning filming likely happened around mid-1995. At that time, Daly was traveling and surprisingly won the Open Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland in July. (Interestingly, that was also the first time a young Tiger Woods played in the Open Championship.)
Although it would have been entertaining to see John Daly as a character in the original Happy Gilmore, his role in the sequel works so well because he plays a silly, older, gray-haired man who doesn’t take life too seriously. It’s a much more believable part for him now, later in his career, than it would have been when he was at his peak. It’s hard to imagine what kind of character he’d have played back in the mid-90s.
Daly is grateful for his significant role in Happy Gilmore 2, especially considering he has no formal acting experience. He explained it himself, saying:
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It was amazing to be in such a big role in a movie, especially since I don’t have a traditional acting background – I’ve never had any formal training. But the director made the whole experience really comfortable and fun, and I think that’s why it turned out so well. I really enjoyed working with him.
Might it be premature – or just plain silly – to suggest Adam Sandler and John Daly team up as the main detectives in a future season of True Detective? It sounds ridiculous, but I’m suddenly inspired to brainstorm ideas for it like it’s fan fiction.
Fans can stream several Adam Sandler comedies on Netflix, including Happy Gilmore 2, Hubie Halloween, Murder Mystery, The Week Of, and more. His upcoming film, Roommates, will feature him alongside his daughter Sadie, as well as Nick Kroll, Natasha Lyonne, and Storm Reid. It’s one of many movies Netflix plans to release over the next year, and fans are wondering if golfer John Daly, who appeared in the original Happy Gilmore, will make a cameo in this film or a potential sequel decades later.
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2026-01-08 21:09