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Los Angeles - Confronted with a gaggle of alligators, US golfer Talor Gooch "chose life over a good lie" at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Thursday.
Gooch put his second shot at the par-five 18th at TPC Louisiana in a bunker near a water hazard.
He arrived at the bunker to find a trio of alligators nearby.
Chesson Hadley, playing in the same group, chased a couple of them away with a rake, but one 'gator wouldn't go.
"The third one was eating the rake, basically, so we decided that we would not take the chance," Gooch said.
"I like my life. I like it with all my limbs," added the 27-year-old, who consulted rules officials and took advantage of the rarely used free relief for a dangerous situation.
That allowed him to drop several yards back in the bunker - where he could keep an eye on the alligator.
"Unfortunately, when you take a drop in the bunker you are going to get a terrible lie - but I chose life over a good lie in the bunker," said Gooch, who escaped with a par - and all of his limbs.
