Just because Tom Holland is the face of a blockbuster superhero franchise doesn’t mean everyone recognizes him—at least that seems to be the case with Rory McIlroy. The four-time major champion had an unexpected and now-viral encounter with the “Spider-Man” actor during a pro-am event before the BMW PGA Championship in England on Wednesday.
As Holland approached McIlroy on the driving range and introduced himself, the golfer, 35, exchanged a brief greeting but quickly turned his attention back to his golf bag, seemingly unaware of who he had just met. The moment quickly made waves online, with fans speculating that McIlroy had no idea he was face-to-face with one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars.
“Rory definitely didn’t clock who it was,” one user on X (formerly Twitter) posted, accompanied by a crying-laughing emoji. Another fan echoed the sentiment, saying, “Rory didn’t have a clue.”
Some fans playfully suggested that Holland should have leaned into his superhero persona to make a more memorable introduction. “Should have said, ‘Hi, I’m Peter Parker,'” one X user joked, referencing Holland’s role as Spider-Man.
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While McIlroy’s reaction—or lack thereof—stole the spotlight, Holland did manage to share a more heartfelt moment with fellow PGA Tour star Tommy Fleetwood later in the day. Fleetwood’s young son, Frankie, had dressed as Spider-Man for the occasion, making the introduction even more special. As Holland greeted the family, Fleetwood, 33, humorously remarked that Holland was “kind of our third favorite” Spider-Man, in a playful nod to previous actors who portrayed the web-slinger, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, both of whom appeared alongside Holland in 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
The BMW PGA Championship has been packed with viral moments for McIlroy, beyond his brief encounter with Holland. During Thursday’s opening round at Wentworth Club, McIlroy made headlines when the head of his 8-iron flew off mid-swing. Despite the equipment mishap, McIlroy remained composed and is currently tied for third place at 5-under par after the first round.
McIlroy has been in the spotlight throughout the season, narrowly missing out on his fifth major championship at the U.S. Open earlier this summer. He’s also coming off a strong performance at the Irish Open last week, where he finished second at 8-under-par.
As he competes in the BMW PGA Championship, it seems that both his on-course play and off-course interactions are keeping fans thoroughly entertained.
While it’s unclear whether McIlroy ever realized who he met at the driving range, the viral moment added a lighthearted twist to the event, showcasing that even the biggest names in sports and entertainment don’t always cross paths in the most expected ways.
