Remember when Tiger Woods shadow-boxed with an alligator at Doral back in 2015? Woods playfully made boxing motions from a safe distance, careful not to get too close to the reptilian hazard. Well, that was nothing compared to what we just witnessed at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, where during the first round of the 2025 Cognizant Classic, a 5-to-6-foot alligator decided to crash the party, leading to a moment of pure Florida-man bravado from Billy Horschel.

With a police officer attempting to redirect the wandering reptile without any tools, Horschel casually reached for his 60-degree wedge and took matters into his own hands. The University of Florida alum gently nudged the alligator’s right shoulder with his club, effectively guiding the creature back into the nearby water hazard in a matter of seconds. Even more impressive, Horschel was already having a stellar round before the reptilian encounter, notching four birdies and an eagle. After dealing with the alligator near the eighth green, he jogged back to his position to maintain the pace of play and proceeded to sink an impressive 11-foot putt for another birdie, showcasing both his nerves of steel and commitment to the game.

“I grew up with my dad grabbing their tails on the bank and shooing them back into the water. I’ve never touched one with my hand, but a club? That’s just part of growing up here,” Horschel explained in his post-round interview, displaying the casual confidence of someone who’s been around these prehistoric creatures his entire life. Born and raised in Grant, Florida, Horschel’s familiarity with the state’s reptilian residents clearly informed his approach to the situation as he assessed the risk with the expertise of a local, noting, “The majority of the time, they’re only going to come after you during mating season or if you’re near their nest. They’re more afraid of you.”

This “not afraid of gators” attitude has quickly become part of Horschel’s growing reputation on tour. Even golf personality Paige Spiranac weighed in on the viral moment, commenting, “The best part is the jog after to keep pace of play. Legend,” appreciating Horschel’s commitment to maintaining game flow.

Not missing a beat, Horschel even cracked a joke about his equipment choice: “Good thing I grabbed the 60-degree—I’ve got two more in the locker if that one got confiscated.” This lighthearted comment perfectly captured his unfazed attitude toward what many would consider a nerve-wracking encounter, highlighting how his Floridian upbringing prepared him for such unique on-course challenges.

The video of this brief yet remarkable incident quickly made its way to social media, where fans couldn’t get enough of Horschel’s fearless approach.

Billy Horschel’s gator encounter ignites social media explosion

The moment, captured by Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine, absolutely exploded online, racking up a staggering 12 million views within just 24 hours across Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Fans couldn’t get enough of Horschel’s fearless approach, with comments flooding in from around the world. “A true Florida man right there!“ one viewer wrote, highlighting Horschel’s regional authenticity. Another fan exclaimed with admiration, “He’s WAY more brave than I am,” while someone else suggested this wasn’t unprecedented, commenting, “Not the first time he has done this!“

The presence of a police officer standing nervously in the background added an extra layer of comedy to the scene, with one fan observing, “The officer being there as backup is cracking me up.” Others referenced Horschel’s alma mater with clever wordplay like “Gator on Gator action,” a nod to the University of Florida mascot. The location significance wasn’t lost on supporters either, with comments like “Enjoying at his home ground“ acknowledging Horschel’s Florida roots. Some expressed FOMO with remarks such as “I really wish I would have gotten to see this out there,” while others simply reacted with amused affection: “Oh Billy.”

Will this moment change how the PGA Tour handles wildlife encounters going forward? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure—Billy Horschel has cemented his reputation not just as a talented golfer but as the Tour’s resident “Gator Wrangler.” What do you think about Horschel’s handling of the situation? Let us know in the comments section below!