A tense moment on the course Thursday turned into a display of composure as Billy Horschel calmly dealt with an unexpected visitor at the Cognizant Classic in Florida. Horschel had just completed the sixth hole at PGA National when an alligator wandered onto the fairway.
A police officer attempted to guide the reptile away, but without the right tools, he hesitated to get too close. Seeing the situation unfold, Horschel grabbed his club and stepped in.
Billy Horschel: Florida Gator, gator wrangler. pic.twitter.com/KxZKX2aZp8
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) February 27, 2025
With a few firm nudges using his wedge, the golfer directed the alligator back toward the water. Onlookers erupted in cheers, with one joking, “He’s done that before.” Horschel later admitted that wasn’t far from the truth.
“I’m not afraid of gators,” he said, explaining that he grew up watching his father handle them along Florida’s banks. Though he never used his hands, he had helped push them along with golf clubs before. He also noted that alligators are rarely aggressive unless they’re protecting a nest or in mating season.
The interruption didn’t derail his game. Horschel finished his round at 5-under 66, putting him within reach of the leaders. Meanwhile, Jake Knapp stole the show by carding a stunning 59, a rare feat in PGA Tour history.
Florida’s golf courses are known for their natural beauty, but they also come with the occasional wildlife encounter. For Horschel, though, it was just another day on the green.
