Billy Horschel vs. Gator: An Unexpected Stroke on the Course!
Billy Horschel, the 38-year-old PGA Tour golfer, certainly had more than just birdies on his mind during the Cognizant Classic on February 27th. As he wrapped up his sixth hole at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, he was met by a rather unexpected competitor—an alligator casually strolling onto the course. Now, most golfers would probably back away slowly, but not Horschel!
In a moment that had spectators gasping and giggling, Horschel strolled up to the wayward reptile while an officer tried to guide it back to the water. With the finesse of a skilled golfer, he used his 60-degree wedge to poke the gator, which promptly turned and obediently returned to its watery home. The incident, captured on video and shared widely, was a classic case of “gator meets gator” since Horschel is a proud alumnus of the University of Florida, known for its gator mascot. Talk about a hometown advantage!
Despite the interruption, Horschel didn’t let it derail his game. He finished the day with a stunning 5-under-par 66. In a post-round interview, he casually shared that he’s not fazed by alligators. “They’re more afraid of you…unless it’s mating season or you’re too close to their nest,” he explained, drawing on his Florida upbringing. Horschel added that he grew up watching his dad maneuver gators back into the water, and while he may not have wrangled them with his own hands, he’s definitely familiar with using a club for that job!
This interaction shines a light on a unique relationship Florida residents often have with their local wildlife. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alligators are generally shy and avoid humans, but they can pose a danger if provoked, especially during mating season. Nevertheless, like Horschel, many are unbothered—after all, encountering wildlife is just a part of life in the Sunshine State. So next time you’re on the green and a gator shows up, you might just need to channel your inner Billy Horschel!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Associated Press
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_publicdomain’, ‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_sharealike’]
