Alligators on golf courses in Florida are nothing new. Usually, when you see one the standard operating procedure is to stay away. However, not all people subscribe to that rule. On the sixth hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, Tour pro Cody Gribble took it upon himself to clear the area in a move that would have made the late Steve Irwin proud. He snuck up behind the eight-foot gator and nonchalantly gave it a whack on the tail sending it back into the water.
After the round, where he struggled to a five-over 77, Gribble was asked about the encounter. “I didn’t realize it was on video, but the gator looked like he needed some exercise. I guess I was trying to get some adrenaline going somehow, but I wasn’t really afraid of it.”
Sure, it might’ve been “frowned upon” by sponsors, but don’t worry, he has experience!
“I’ve done it a couple times before. If you think if that’s crazy, you should meet my father.”
“I mean, it’s like a jolt. It’s quick,” he said. “They’re not going to catch you, they’re not going to catch you a couple steps down. They’re quick, but they’re not that quick.”
After an unseasonably chilly first round of play where low scores were tough to come by, a couple of young studs, Emiliano Grillo and Matthew Fitzpatrick lead the way at five-under par on a day. Defending champ Jason Day is three back after shooting a two-under 70.
Here’s a look at the first round highlights and leaderboard:
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