article: An elderly man who was bitten by a crocodile while playing golf has defended the creature who attacked him, claiming the 1.2 metre reptile was more frightened than he was and that the spat was partially the golfer's own fault. The victim, John Lahiff has spoken out from his hospital bed at Cairns Base Hospital, swearing he will return to the green again after the nasty run-in with the crocodile at politician Clive Palmer's Port Douglas golf course. On Monday afternoon, the man in his 70s believes he accidentally stood on a sunbaking crocodile on the 11th hole at the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course, causing the croc to swiftly retaliate. 'I drove the cart around to retrieve the ball - and I didn't see the croc sunbaking just on the edge of the water,' Mr Lahiff told ABC News. Scroll down for video . The victim, John Lahiff has spoken out from his hospital bed at Cairns Base Hospital, swearing he will return to the green again after the nasty run-in with the crocodile . On Monday afternoon, the man in his 70s believes he accidentally stood on a sunbaking crocodile on the 11th hole at the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course, causing the croc to swiftly retaliate . The golfer received puncture wounds on his leg and foot, including one down to the bone . 'I walked past it and then it got me on the way back and as soon as it grabbed me it took off into the water.' He received puncture wounds on his leg and foot, including one down to the bone. 'I didn't feel a thing,' Mr Lahiff told Ninemsn. 'The only pain I had was last night when they were sticking needles into me.' Incredibly Mr Lahiff, who had been playing alone, was still able to drive his golf buggy back up to the clubhouse to seek medical assistance. 'It's partly my fault ... for disturbing it while it was sunbaking,' he said. 'I think he got more of a fright than me. He's alright.' Mr Lahiff says he has no qualms about returning to the green, explaining he will be sure to steer clear of crocodiles in future and ensure he doesn't hit balls in the water. Incredibly Mr Lahiff, who had been playing alone, was still able to drive his golf buggy back up to the clubhouse to seek medical assistance . Mr Lahiff says he has no qualms about returning to the green, explaining he will be sure to steer clear of crocodiles in future and ensure he doesn't hit balls in the water . The 70-year-old man was playing golf on Monday at the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course, owned by Clive Palmer . Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer, who owns the golf course, gave the victim some potentially unwelcome advice on how to avoid a similar injury in future. 'I'd advise people not to step on crocodiles,' he said. 'I suppose you can understand how it would respond to having someone step on its back.' He also took to his Twitter account following the incident to send his well wishes to the injured man. 'I would like to wish the well-known local man who was attacked by a crocodile in Port Douglas this afternoon a speedy recovery,' Mr Palmer tweeted. But hours later, the billionaire posted a bizarre joke: 'Crocodile has been removed from all menus at Palmer properties following today's incident with a member of our Port Douglas Golf Course.' The tweets followed after emergency services were called to the course after reports of a man being bitten on the leg shortly after 4pm. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the man suffered puncture wounds on his left calf. The man, who was a member at the golf course, was treated by paramedics at the scene before he was taken to Mossman District Hospital in a stable condition. Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer posted his well wishes to the injured man on his Twitter account . Mr Palmer took to his Twitter account to send his well wishes to the man following the incident . A Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spokesperson told ABC News it was not unusual to see crocodiles in the area. 'Crocodiles are known to be in the area and access the golf course via creeks, and as such, warning signs are in place,' the spokesperson said. 'It is not the first time a crocodile has been removed from a golf course in the region.' Queensland Ambulance has confirmed an elderly man was bitten on the leg by a crocodile on Monday . An elderly man has reportedly been attacked by a crocodile while he was playing golf in Queensland . Emergency services were called about 4pm and treated the man at the scene before taking him to hospital .
highlights: Senior golfer John Lahiff was attacked by a crocodile in Queensland .
  Lahiff was playing golf solo at the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course on Monday .
  He says he didn't feel a thing during the attack and was even able to drive himself in a golf buggy to the clubhouse to seek help .
  Golf owner Clive Palmer sent his well wishes to the man after the attack .
  Recovering in hospital, Lahiff says the croc was more scared than he was .
  Lahiff feels bad for accidentally disturbing the sunbaking crocodile which he didn't see as he retrieved his golf ball .
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