CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One of the spectators with the best vantage point for the Wells Fargo Championship was a snake that was greeted by competitor Rickie Fowler.
While making his way through the competition at Quail Hollow, Fowler hit a ball into a water hazard during the third round of the tournament on Saturday.
As he went to retrieve his ball, Fowler spotted a snake in the rock-lined area near the water. Once he saw the snake, he did the entirely sane act of lifting up the reptile with his golf club.
The snake was not so friendly, though, and slithered off back into the penalty area.
Earlier this month, North Carolina wildlife officials warned that warmer temperatures will spur an increase in snake sightings.
It's unclear which snake Fowler encountered on Saturday, but the Carolinas are home to six species of venomous snakes, including copperheads, cottonmouths, and three types of rattlesnakes.
This isn't the first time Fowler has had a meeting with wildlife during a PGA event. During the 2017 Zurich Classic, Fowler tapped an alligator that was sitting close to the course. The alligator scurried off into the water after the contact.
Fowler finished the Wells Fargo Championship tied for 14th place by shooting 8 under par, 11 strokes behind winner Wyndham Clark.
Fowler won the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship by beating Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points in a sudden-death playoff after the three tied with a score of 14 under par after four rounds.