A north Queensland golfer came up against an unexpected hazard on the course when he was bitten by a crocodile.
But the man says the attack was his own fault – he accidentally stood on the saltie, and he should have known it was there because he's seen it before.
John Lahiff didn't see the crocodile sunbaking when he went searching for his ball.
"It just had a go at me," he says.
The 1.5m croc bit Mr Lahiff's calf and shin, but thankfully let go.
The golfer was alone, without a phone, and bleeding badly – but he was able to get back to his golf cart.
"I just got on the cart and drove back to the clubhouse," says Mr Lahiff.
He casually told staff he'd been "nipped by a crocodile".
The 66-year-old is a regular at the Port Douglas Palmer Sea Reef course, and believes the croc has stalked him before.
"It was on the same hole anyway, and it was just sitting there sunbaking.
"He had his eye on me from the other day."
Golf course hazards are normally manmade, but kangaroos have invaded the Australian Women's Open in Canberra before.
Bull sharks lurk at the 13th hole at Brisbanes Carbrook course, and the most famous of them all is an alligator nicknamed Goliath, which prowls Florida's Myakka Pines.
North Queensland golfers say crocs are par for the course.
"[I've] just got to be a bit more aware next time, and take a golf club with me," says Mr Lahiff.
Once he's out of hospital, he plans to finish off his round – and this time stay out of the water.
3 News
source: newshub archive
