In a surprising moment on Thursday, PGA golfer Billy Horschel took matters into his own hands when an alligator wandered onto the course at PGA National in Florida.
The 38-year-old golfer, known for his calm demeanor on the green, showed his bravery and expertise when he casually confronted the reptile that had become a bit of a problem for a nearby police officer.
A Calm and Collected Approach to Handling an Alligator
Rather than panicking or calling for backup, Horschel grabbed a wedge from his golf bag and made his way toward the alligator.
He lightly poked the creature on its shoulder with his club, directing it away from the course.
With a few well-timed moves, he guided the alligator safely back toward the water, avoiding any further disruption to the game. His composed response left many golf fans in awe.
Horschel’s Florida Roots Help Him Tackle the Situation
Given that Horschel is a Florida native, his calm handling of the situation didn’t come as a complete surprise.
Growing up in the Sunshine State, Horschel had plenty of encounters with alligators, which made him a bit of an expert on the creatures.
“I’m not afraid of ‘gators,’” Horschel explained after the incident, adding that in most cases, the reptiles are more scared of humans than vice versa.
According to Horschel, alligators typically only pose a threat during mating season or if someone gets too close to their nest, especially if they have eggs nearby. “
The majority of the time, they’re fine,” he noted, pointing out that his experience with them was far more common than most people would think.
Growing Up Around Alligators
Horschel shared that his familiarity with alligators comes from his childhood, where his father would often handle the reptiles in a way that was both practical and safe.
“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,” he recalled.
While Horschel never touched an alligator’s tail himself, he mentioned that he had used a club in similar situations before.
Helping a Police Officer in Need
The incident took place during Horschel’s first round at the Cognizant Classic at PGA National, after he had just completed his sixth hole.
As he made his way to the next tee, he noticed a police officer struggling to deal with the alligator, which wasn’t responding to the officer’s attempts to shoo it away.
Realizing the situation was escalating, Horschel quickly stepped in to assist the officer.
“He was going nowhere good,” Horschel explained. “So, I just went over there, helped the cop.”
With his experience and calmness under pressure, Horschel was able to handle the situation smoothly, proving himself not just a golf pro, but an alligator expert in his own right.