Billy Horschel Uses Golf Club to Fend Off Alligator During PGA Tournament
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Billy-Horschel--74_02272025-867db01fbfe3491393ca92172284c328.jpg)
Billy Horschel had an unexpected encounter on the PGA Tour when a wayward alligator wandered onto the course during the Cognizant Classic on Thursday, February 27.
Spectators at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, watched in surprise as the reptile made its way onto the fairway. However, Horschel, 38, remained unfazed.
The incident took place after Horschel finished his sixth hole—his 15th of the day in Round 1 of the tournament. As he headed to the next tee, he noticed an officer attempting to shoo the alligator away without success, according to the Associated Press.
A video shared by the PGA Tour on X captured the moment when Horschel calmly approached the alligator, using the blade of his 60-degree wedge to nudge it on the side. The gator quickly turned around and retreated into the water.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Billy-Horschel--72_02272025-30797f8a205c44568729c39cf57ab143.jpg)
“Oh yeah, Billy! That’s a gator getting a gator,” a spectator joked in the background, referencing Horschel’s alma mater, the University of Florida, whose mascot is a gator. Despite the unusual encounter, Horschel remained focused, shooting a 5-under 66 on the first day of the event.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Horschel explained why he wasn’t intimidated by the reptile.
“Listen, as I tell most people, they’re more afraid of you. The majority of the time, they’ll only come after you during mating season when they’re a little aggressive or if you’re near their nest,” he said. “Other than that, they’re fine.”
As a Florida native, Horschel grew up around alligators and has seen people interact with them from a young age, making this encounter just another day on the course for him.