Andrew “Beef” Johnston is not one to take a backward step but there is exceptions and that was when he had a close encounter with a 1o-foot alligator mid-round on day two of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
Johnston was really pumped when he birdied four of their closing five holes in his teaming with American Kyle Reifers in a score of 66 to finish right on the seven–under cut line and be among 42 teams to be assured of contesting all four rounds.
“I hit some bad iron shots on Thursday so I spent some time on the range after the round and worked out what I was doing wrong, so that was a great help today,” said Johnston.
“So I was thinking to myself that I am letting my partner down but not today as I was really pumped.
Gator: “You’re short-armin’ it!”@kkraft11:”You’re one to talk.” pic.twitter.com/9gzpIBTTrJ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 28, 2017
“I just did not want to let Kyle down and I think now if we can get out early and post a low round in the Foursomes tomorrow (SAT)”.
However, there was the bizarre scenario down the right side of the 18th or the ninth hole of their round when the tee shots of both Johnston and Reifers found a fairway bunker.
But lying on the bank of a small lake and on the very edge of the bunker was a sizeable alligator.
Reifers played first but with TV coverage affixed to the American as the alligator sat motionless and no doubt many believing the alligator could snap any moment.
But while Reifers successfully found his way out of the bunker unbeknown to anyone watching on as Johnston still had to hit his second shot further along in the bunker and that much closer to the alligator.
“Beef” was shaking in his golf shoes and not about to take any risks whatsoever.
In fact, he stood his ground and called for an official for advice and with an official soon arriving in a motorised cart that sent the alligator scurrying back into the hazard.
“There was no way I was going anywhere near it,” said Johnston.
“The problem was that when I walked down into the bunker to play my shot all my weight was in the bunker and if attacked me I could not go anywhere, so that I was staying out of the way.”
