In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a unique encounter unfolded on the golf course at PGA National during the Cognizant Classic. Billy Horschel, a former University of Florida golfer familiar with his home state’s wildlife, encountered an alligator that interrupted his round. Thankfully, Horschel’s experience with the famously toothy creatures came in handy.
As Horschel completed the sixth hole on his first day of play, he noticed the reptile causing a stir. A nearby police officer was making unsuccessful attempts to guide the gator away. Horschel, armed with a 60-degree wedge, knew exactly how to handle the situation. He calmly approached the gator, using the club to nudge its shoulder until it returned to the water. He remarked that dealing with alligators is no cause for worry, as they’re typically not dangerous unless it’s mating season or if their nests are involved.
His straightforward approach only took a few seconds and left an impression on spectators. The situation wouldn’t have been complete without some humor from Horschel. He reminisced about his father chasing alligators off riverbanks, a technique he seemed to have inherited. “I’m not afraid of gators,” Horschel clarified. This confident attitude appeared to be an extension of his Florida upbringing, where encounters with alligators are part and parcel of life.
Aside from his reptilian diversion, Horschel’s performance on the course was solid. He finished the round with a 5-under 66, marked by four birdies and an eagle. His score placed him behind the day’s leader, Jake Knapp, who impressed with a round of 59, an achievement only accomplished 15 times in the history of the PGA Tour.
As he reflected on his incident with the gator, Horschel assured everyone it wasn’t as daunting as it might seem. He emphasized that fear of these creatures is largely exaggerated, unless the specific conditions he previously mentioned are met. With wisdom and humor, Billy Horschel demonstrated how golf and nature can intersect in the most unexpected ways, all while keeping a cool head.
