Golf Star Pokes Reptile With Club To Say Later, Alligator, During Tournament

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A Gator took on a gator. Billy Horschel gained.

Let’s clarify: Horschel performed his faculty golf for the Florida Gators, so he is aware of loads in regards to the wildlife that will get seen on programs within the Sunshine State — together with, sure, alligators. And when a gator made its means onto the course at PGA Nationwide on Thursday, Horschel knew what to do.

The Florida native grabbed a 60-degree wedge, poked on the gator and obtained it to retreat again to the water. And he made it look simple.

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“I’m not afraid of gators,” Horschel stated. “Pay attention, as I inform most individuals, I stated, they’re extra afraid of you. Nearly all of the time they’re solely going to return after you throughout mating season the place they’re a bit of aggressive after which when you’re round their nest once they’ve obtained some eggs. Nearly all of the time, they’re fantastic.”

Billy Horschel shot a 5-under-par 66 in the first round of the Cognizant Classic, but his most newsworthy shot was a poke to shoo an alligator of the course. — Billy Horschel shot a 5-under-par 66 within the first spherical of the Cognizant Basic, however his most newsworthy shot was a poke to shoo an alligator of the course.

Horschel had simply completed taking part in the sixth gap at PGA Nationwide, his fifteenth gap of the day in Round 1 of the Cognizant Classic. As he was strolling to the subsequent tee, he noticed the gator crawling about and a police officer was attempting to shoo it away with no success.

“He was going nowhere good,” Horschel stated. “So, I simply went over there, helped the cop.”

Horschel stated he questioned if the officer was going to make use of a Taser to try to distract the gator. A golf membership did the trick simply fantastic.

He walked as much as the correct aspect of the gator and used the blade of his wedge to principally poke its shoulder, getting it to alter course. The gator obtained the trace and veered again to its left. Horschel adopted the gator throughout the grass, watching it head on to the water. The entire alternate took about six seconds.

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So, Horschel’s day in wildlife phrases: 4 birdies, one eagle and one gator. He shot a 5-under 66, ending seven photographs behind early chief Jake Knapp after his spherical of 59 — the fifteenth such spherical in PGA Tour historical past.

“I grew up with my dad grabbing their tail once they’re on the aspect of the financial institution and shooing them again within the water,” Horschel stated. “I by no means touched a tail with my hand however I’ve accomplished it with a membership. Not that huge of a deal.”

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