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2h ago

Vince Whaley Plays Shot Beside Gator, Saves Par to Finish T-3 at Sanderson Farms

The high-risk choice lifted him from 102nd to 84th in FedExCup points, bolstering his bid to retain full 2026 PGA Tour status.

Mar 2, 2025; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA; Vince Whaley plays a shot from a bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • During the final round at the Country Club of Jackson, Whaley removed his shoes and waded into ankle-deep water on the par-5 11th with an alligator a few feet away.
  • He chose to play the ball rather than take free relief for dangerous wildlife permitted under the Rules of Golf Decision 1-4/10.
  • Whaley saved par on the hole and went on to finish tied for third, avoiding a costly drop at a pivotal point in his round.
  • The result moved him to No. 84 in the FedExCup standings and earned approximately $318,000, strengthening his position inside the top-100 cutoff for 2026 status.
  • The PGA TOUR’s video of the shot drew wide attention as Golf Channel’s Johnson Wagner voiced alarm, and there were no reports of injury or penalties at the gator-populated course.