Billy Horschel. Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
PGA Tour golfer Billy Horschel proved his Florida Man status during his opening round at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday, February 27.
During his round at the PGA National Resort, Horschel, 38, came in close contact with an alligator roaming the fairway. Rather than scurry to safety, Horschel decided to take matters into his own hands.
The golfer — who was born and raised in Grant, Florida and played collegiate golf at the University of Florida, home of the Gators — grabbed a wedge out of his back and stuck it directly in the gator’s face. The large reptile retreated, and Horschel followed the gator intently to make sure it slithered back into the water.
“I’m not afraid of gators,” Horschel told reporters after his round. “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. The majority of the time, they’re fine.”
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Horschel said he wondered if a nearby police officer was going to use his Taser on the alligator, but realized he was the better man for the job.
“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,” Horschel explained. “I never touched a tail with my hand but I’ve done it with a club. Not that big of a deal.”
Horschel added, “We were on No. 6 green and I just putted out, went to the left side of the green there. Right about to walk to 7 I saw the gator coming across. The cop who was working with us walked over there and tried to shoo him, but he didn’t have anything to touch him and he was trying to get as close as he could.”
The PGA Tour posted a video of the incident via Instagram, which drew hilarious reactions from golf fans.
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“He’s gotta replace Chris Pratt in the next Jurassic world 🤣,” one person commented. Another wrote, “Tell me you’re a Floridian without telling me you’re a Floridian.”
One tournament attendee who was standing nearby Horschel’s heroics also offered their play-by-play in the comments.
“I was right there,” the fan wrote. “It was insane! No one knew what to do. The gator was heading for the crowd. Billy came out of nowhere to take control. He was a Florida Gator so it makes sense!”
