After Billy Horschel handled a gator during the Cognizant Classic, one of the best reactions came from Paige Spiranac who bragged about the PGA Tour star.

Billy Horschel, the Florida native, was right at home during Thursday's opening round of the Cognizant Classic, for more reasons than one.

PGA Tour star golfer Billy Horschel was seen recently shooing a gator off a Florida golf course with his club as it tried to approach him during his round.

This is not your grandfather's Honda Cognizant Classic. Hell, it might not even be your father's, either. On Thursday at the historically-difficult Champion Course at PGA National, Jake Knapp, winner of the 2024 Mexico Open,

Billy Horschel calls winning in his home state a "pride factor." The closest he's come in 40 starts in Florida is tied for second at the 2022 API.

This wasn’t Horschel’s first encounter with alligators. He was born in Grant, Florida and has spent his 38 years living in the Sunshine State.

Billy Horschel didn't hold back when discussing the level of difficulty at the PGA National Resort for the Honda Cognizant Classic just hours after he dueled with an alligator

Horschel played his college golf for the Florida Gators, so he knows plenty about the wildlife that gets seen on courses in the Sunshine State — including, yes, alligators.

Billy Horschel used a wedge to get rid of an alligator that was crossing the eighth hole at the 2025 Cognizant Classic.

He was calm and collected, just as he's been during many pressure moments during his PGA Tour career. The gator emerged as Horschel finished his sixth hole during the round, and he found the gator ...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Billy Horschel of the United States prepares ... of scrutiny about the pace of play on the PGA Tour. Fans complain often about it. Spiranac has publicly ...