Wednesday 20 December 2017 17:32, UK
Alligators patrolling the fairways and kangaroos getting in the way were among the comical moments where animals got all-too-close to the golf action over the past 12 months.
Cody Gribble showed no fear when an alligator perched on the fairway at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, using his hand to tap the reptilian on the tail and egging it back into the water.
The same couldn't be said at Bay Hill for Smylie Kaufman, who ran away to safety when he saw a similar creature lurking towards the fairway during his second round.
Ian Poulter and his playing partners tried a variety of methods to shoo an alligator away when it refused to budge at Harbour Town, trying to get it away from the hazard as the Englishman attempted to play his approach shot.
A rake from a bunker was how Rickie Fowler dealt with an intruding crocodile during the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, prodding it back into the water when Thomas Pieters was reluctant to hit his ball.
Kangaroos caused delays during the ISPS Handa Super 6 Perth and a squirrel halted play at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, with plenty of other animals making their way on the golf course over the past 12 months.
Click on the video above to watch the best animal encounters on the golf course of 2017!
