Golfer attacked by crocodile as he tries to retrieve ball from pond on Australian course

John Lahiff, 75, said it was his fault for disturbing the reptile as it sunbathed

The crocodile was disturbed while it sunbathed (stock picture) (Getty Images)

An Australian golfer has been bitten by a crocodile after disturbing it as it sunbathed on a course near the Great Barrier Reef.

John Lahiff, 75, was trying to retrieve his ball from a pond on the 11th hole when he startled the four foot (1.2 metre) reptile on Monday.

“I drove a cart around there to retrieve the ball and I didn't see the croc sunbaking just on the edge of the water,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

“It's partly my fault for disturbing it — it was just sunbaking.”

Crocodile warning signs alert golfers to the dangers (Getty Images)

Mr Lahiff said he had seen crocodiles on the course before and should have been more wary, adding that he will “just stay away from them” in future.

But the bite has not discouraged him from playing at Palmer Sea and he has vowed to continue his visits three times a week when he has recovered.

Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection is attempting to catch the crocodile.

As it is a protected species, it cannot be killed but may be relocated to a zoo or crocodile farm where the reptiles are legally grown for their meat and skin.

A spokesperson for the state wildlife department said it was unusual for a relatively small crocodile to attack humans and that they were common on Australia’s tropical golf courses, which display warning signs.

Clive Parker, a mining magnate and member of the Australian Parliament who woners the golf course, wished Mr Lahiff a “speedy recovery”.

“Crocodile has been removed from all menus at Palmer properties following today's incident,” he added in a tweet.

Additional reporting by AP