"The majority of the time, they’re fine. 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. I never touched a tail with my hand but I’ve done it with a club.

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.

The Cognizant Classic kicked off at PGA National on Thursday, formally starting the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing. Golf is off and running now. With the PGA Tour now in Florida, golf fans are catching a glimpse of the environment akin to the southeast.