Golfers usually expect bunkers, trees, or maybe a surprise gust of wind to throw them off. But at Quail Hollow during the PGA Championship, Shaun Micheel found something a little less conventional standing between him and the 10th hole- a snake.
The 2003 PGA Championship winner had just approached his shot when the uninvited guest slithered onto the rough. Spectators watched as Micheel carefully backed away, not wanting to worsen the situation. A volunteer eventually stepped in and tried to coax the snake away with a few cautious kicks.
"I need him to take a bite at the ball." 😂
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 16, 2025
Snake crossing at the PGA Championship 🐍 pic.twitter.com/pP7AUQ8L0I
When Nature Joins The Game
The snake, likely confused but determined, inched closer to Micheel’s ball before slowly retreating from the fairway. Tension eased, but the moment sparked a wave of online reactions.
“The course difficulty level just increased. My nerves would be shot,” one viewer posted.
the course difficulty level just increased. my nerves would be shot. lol
— 💲 (@fourdtough) May 16, 2025
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Another joked, “Golf meets Animal Planet — forget birdies, we’ve got a snake in play.”
Golf meets Animal Planet—forget birdies, we’ve got a snake in play
— Magic🏂 (@randhawapkr) May 16, 2025
PGA Broadcasters joined in on the light-hearted moment. One quipped on air, “I wanted to see the snake take a bite at the ball,” drawing laughter from the gallery and those watching at home. But curiosity around the rules quickly followed.
According to PGA rules, if a ball is moved by an outside influence, such as an animal, the player can return the ball to its original position or drop it nearby without penalty. So while the snake never actually made contact, Micheel could have legally continued his round if it had.
Despite the brief disruption, Micheel regained focus and managed to card a birdie on the hole. Still, his path to making the cut remains steep.
This wasn’t the first animal encounter of the tournament. During the first round, a group of turtles made a slow-paced appearance near the greens, giving fans a front-row view of golf’s wilder side.
As unpredictable as the sport can be, few expected reptiles to become part of the action. Yet in Charlotte this week, nature didn’t just watch from the sidelines. The PGA Championship continues, with coverage airing on ESPN and ESPN+. But players might want to keep an extra eye on the rough.
Also Read: Star Golfer Forced To Withdraw From 2025 PGA Championship In Shocking Turn Of Events
