Gator vs. gator. Watch former UF golfer tangle with an alligator at PGA Tour event
Well, that’s not something you see every day … unless you live in Florida.
Professional golfer and former University of Florida Gator Billy Horschel took time out of his PGA Tour schedule to play alligator whisperer with a real-life reptile after it made an unwanted guest appearance on Feb. 27 at the PGA National Members Club in Palm Beach Gardens.
Horschel was not having another gator steal his spotlight, so he shooed the swamp dweller off a fairway, a SportsCenter video shows.
Not getting too close, Horschel nudges and escorts the alligator back to the water during the first round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.
The video is circulating on social media, including X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. Fans were surprised and delighted by Horschel’s cool demeanor.
“Florida Man speedrunning his PGA + Wildlife Ranger career in one tournament,” one person said on X.
“Channeled his inner Steve Irwin,” another posted.
“Boss move literally,” someone said.
“Can you imagine Billy just walking up to that gator like it’s nothing? That’s some serious guts!” one person said on TikTok.
Horschel said that he was disappointed in the PGA National course because of its lack of challenges in factors such as weather during the first round. Though it’s clear he failed to take into account the latest reptile obstacles that had been tossed in there.
Horschel opened with a 5-under-par 66.
This story was originally published February 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM with the headline "Gator vs. gator. Watch former UF golfer tangle with an alligator at PGA Tour event."