Millions of fans around the world are familiar with the work of actor Tom Holland, but Rory McIlroy may not be one of them.
The pair crossed paths on the driving range ahead of the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in England, with ‘Spider-Man’ actor Holland He went to introduce himself and give your name.
However, McIlroy replied somewhat awkwardly: “Hi Tom, how are you?” and made no mention of the actor’s work or career, leading fans to believe he was unfamiliar with the big screen star.
“Rory doesn’t know who Tom Holland is,” one fan said on X.
“Rory has no idea who Tom Holland is. Not a bad swing though!” said another, referencing the end of the clip where Holland can be seen hitting a ball.
Tom Holland introduced himself to Rory McIlroy, but fans were convinced the golfer didn’t recognise the world-famous actor.
McIlroy speaks to the media at Wentworth Club ahead of the BMW PGA Championship
“Rory is completely focused without realizing he’s Spiderman,” joked a third fan.
While McIlroy may not have recognized Holland, others certainly did, as he was photographed signing autographs for young fans at one point.
The 35-year-old Northern Irishman shocked the world when he filed for divorce from his wife of seven years in May, just days before the start of the PGA Championship.
The four-time major winner left golf fans even more shocked when he did a U-turn just a month later, calling off his divorce from Erica, 36, before this year’s US Open, stating their “best future was as a family together”.
She later announced she would be taking a short break amid her US Open implosion and divorce drama, and would return to the field for July’s Genesis Scottish Open and Open Championship.
The Netherlands played in a Pro-Am before the start of the BMW PGA Championship on Thursday
He signed a few autographs for some young fans while on the pitch at Wentworth Club.
Speaking to Patrick Kielty on Irish talk show ‘Late Late’ this week, McIlroy revealed he took the break to rediscover “what was really important to me”.
“I think sometimes life can be very intense and it can be too much,” he said. “A lot has happened this year, golf-wise and obviously personally as well. I had to take a little break and step away from the game more than anything else,” he told Kielty.
‘Golf and the golf business had become something that completely absorbed me over the last few years and I needed to take some time to realize what was really important to me: my friends, my family, enjoying myself, enjoying the fact that you were a kid in Hollywood and you’ve become what I am, and I need to enjoy that time.’
McIlroy will tee off at 3:40 a.m. ET (8:40 a.m. local time) to begin his weekend.
