PLAY was temporarily halted at the USPGA Championship after a TURTLE invaded the green.

American Ryan Gerard got a shock as he chipped into the 14th at Quail Hollow on Thursday.

Gerard saw his approach shot to the green roll away into the bunker.

And as TV cameras panned to find his ball, a small head was seen poking out from the grass.

Sky Sports commentator Henni Zuel initially thought the animal was a snake.

But former PGA champ Rich Beem quipped: “That’s a snapping turtle!

“That will rip your finger off.”

Jason Dufner watched on bemused as the turtle began to scamper across the green.

It showed off a surprising turn of pace as it made a dash for the water.

And the reptile even received a warm round of applause from the watching spectators as it returned to the lake.

One fan laughed on X: “Notice he’s a lot faster than the golfers.”

Another wrote: “I love this sport.”

It’s not the first time a turtle has caused carnage on the links this year.

During March’s Houston Open, a caddie picked up a turtle to remove it from the green.

The animal started to urinate an excessive amount of waste while the caddie dashed to move it to a safe distance.

It was a day to remember for Jhonattan Vegas on Thursday, with the Venezuelan taking the clubhouse lead in North Carolina.

Vegas shot a classy 64, including five birdies on the back nine.

He leads by two shots from Gerard and Aussie Cameron Davies.