Pro golfer sneaks up on Florida gator, playfully taps its tail

Cody Gribble gave new meaning to a risky play on the par-5 sixth hole over water at Bay Hill on Thursday.

Not with a club, but with his hand.

And it didn't involve an eagle, rather an 8-foot alligator.

Gribble, already 4-over par for his round, was walking along the edge of the lake when he saw the gator sunning himself on the bank. Instead of walking around it, the Texan reached over and swatted its tail his left hand.

Startled, the gator took off for the water.

"The gator looked like he needed some exercise," Gribble said after opening with a 77. "But he was sitting right there in the way and, you know, I guess I was trying to get some adrenaline going somehow. But I wasn't really afraid of it."

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