LATER, GATOR!

Pro Golfer Chases Alligator Off the Course During Tournament

Billy Horschel said he wasn’t afraid of the Florida reptile and shooed him into the water.

Professional golfer Billy Horschel was in for a surprise Thursday when he went head-to-scaly-head with a wild alligator during a Palm Beach Gardens golfing championship. The massive reptile crawled its way across the course before being spotted by the 38-year-old pro, who then approached the creature. Carefully, he extended his shiny golf club and nudged the gator’s head. As onlookers watched in awe, the gator scuttled away while Horschel followed. It found safety in a nearby pond, away from pesky humans. American alligators are fairly common in Florida, and they’re protected under the Endangered Species Act. They’ve lived in the state for centuries, but recent human population growth has forced them to interact with humans much more than desired. Still, they rarely attack humans, and as Horschel told the Associated Press: “they’re more afraid of you.” That didn’t stop fans from applauding Horschel’s bravery and posting all across social media about the University of Florida alum. “That’s a gator getting the gator,” they said, referencing the college mascot. All players were able to return to putting shortly after.