CNN
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Golf followers are accustomed to listening to a curling putt described as ‘snaking.’ What they’re much less accustomed to, although, is the sight of a snake dangling off the tip of a membership.
In the course of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hole on Saturday, Rickie Fowler was readily available to supply a protected demonstration.
Fowler was on the par-five seventh gap of his third spherical on the PGA Tour occasion in Charlotte, when his tee shot went careening proper in direction of the waters alongside the facet of the green.
Whereas trying to find his ball, the American noticed a snake settled amongst some rocks. North Carolina is residence to a variety of snake species, a lot of which inhabit the waters of the Tar Heel state. Feedback on the PGA’s Twitter submit wavered on what species of snake Fowler dealt with, however it’s considered a northern watersnake, a nonvenomous species native to North America.
Angling his wedge, Fowler gently hooked the snake to carry it out from between a spot within the rocks earlier than it slithered away. The truth that the 34-year-old is a long-time associate with Puma-Cobra made it a becoming collaboration.
He ultimately took a penalty drop however managed to avoid wasting par, carding a three-under 68 earlier than repeating the rating on Sunday to complete tied for 14th at eight-under general, 11 photographs behind champion Wyndham Clark.
It lifts him three locations to world No. 50 forward of the PGA Championship later at Oak Hill this month, the place he’ll once more chase a primary profession main after three runner-up finishes.
Fowler can be hoping to keep away from the destiny that befell Richard Model finally yr’s occasion. The English golfer’s second spherical was derailed when a squirrel raced onto the inexperienced to cease his ball and roll it round earlier than scampering away.
To rub salt into the injuries, Bland was not allowed to maneuver his ball or replay his shot underneath US Golf Affiliation rulings.
Snakes and squirrels have continued golf’s ever rising story of animal run-ins, with canines, deer, and alligators all penning chapters lately.