Billy Horschel came face to face with an unexpected competitor during his latest stop on the PGA Tour.
Spectators at the Cognizant Classic on Thursday, Feb. 27, were shocked when an alligator made its way to the course — except for Horschel, 38.
The unexpected scene occurred just as the golfer had finished his sixth hole at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., his 15th hole of the day in Round 1 of the tournament, the Associated Press reports.
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According to the news agency, Horschel was going to the next tee when he saw an officer unsuccessfully shooing away the reptile.
A video shared by the PGA Tour on X shows Horschel slowly approaching the gator as he walked on the course.
Using the blade of a 60-degree wedge, he poked the gator on its side, causing it to turn immediately around and go back in the water.
“Oh yeah, Billy! That’s a gator getting a gator,” a man could be heard saying in the video, referring to Horschel being an alumnus of the University of Florida, whose mascot is a gator. The incident didn’t seem to faze him as he shot a 5-under 66 on the first day of the event.
While speaking to reporters afterward, Horschel explained why he is not afraid of alligators.
“Listen, as I tell most people, I said, they’re more afraid of you. The majority of the time they’re only going to come after you during mating season, where they’re a little aggressive. And then if you’re around their nest when they’ve got some eggs,” he said. “The majority of the time, they’re fine.”
The athlete, who is a Florida native, said he’s seen people interacting with gators from a young age.
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“I grew up with my dad grabbing their tail when they’re on the side of the bank and shooing them back in the water. I never touched a tail with my hand but I’ve done it with a club,” he said. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
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