BILLY HORSCHEL was dubbed a “legend” by Paige Spiranac after going full “gator whisperer” to bravely herd an alligator off a golf course.
The stunning incident occurred during the PGA National on Thursday at the Cognizant Classic.
Horschel was enjoying his opening round of golf in Florida when a huge alligator made its way onto the semi-rough.
The cheeky creature disrupted play as it parked itself just off the fairway.
But Horschel is not one to walk away from a challenge.
And he took things into his own hands by shooing the knobbly monster back to its watering hole.
Horschel used his golf club to create some distance between himself and the roving reptile.
He then gave the alligator a prod to get things moving.
The scaly intruder quickly turned on its hind legs after realising Horschel meant business.
The golf star continued to approach with confidence.
And the alligator took it as a final warning before scarpering back into a neighbouring lake.
Horschel’s behaviour went down well with fans, who gave him a rapturous round of applause.
The ace then jogged back to his original position before teeing off.
And glam golf favourite Spiranac was quick to heap praise on Horschel.
She said: “The best part is the jog after to keep the pace of play. Legend.”
Other supporters hailed Horschel’s heroics too.
One said: “The gator whisperer.”
Another declared: “Now that’s a hazard!”
On Thursday, Billy Horschel stunned golf fans by nonchalantly tackling an alligator who had wandered onto the course at PGA National in Florida.
Upon seeing the reptile, Horschel, 38, calmly grabbed a wedge from his bag and strode in for a confrontation. He poked the alligator lightly on its shoulder with his club, urging it to change direction. He then herded it safely back into the water.
Horschel could hardly have been suited for the situation. A Sunshine state native, he played hi college golf for Florida, and revealed that he had plenty of encounters with alligators when growing up.
Indeed, as it turns out, Horschel appears to be a bit of an expert on the animals. A true case of right man at the right place at the right time.
‘I’m not afraid of ‘gators,’ Horschel said.
‘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.’
Horshel then went on to explain just why he knows so much about alligators.
‘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,’ he said. ‘I never touched a tail with my hand but I’ve done it with a club. Not that big of a deal.’
Horschel had just finished playing the sixth hole at PGA National, his 15th hole of the day in Round 1 of the Cognizant Classic. As he was walking to the next tee, he saw the alligator prowling as a police officer timidly tried to shoo it away to no avail.
‘He was going nowhere good,” Horschel added. ‘So, I just went over there, helped the cop.’
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