GRETNA, La. – Celebrated chef Paul Prudhomme was setting up his cooking tent on the practice range at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Tuesday morning when he felt a sting in his right arm, just above his elbow.

Col. John Fortunato, a spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, said Prudhomme shook his shirt sleeve and a .22 caliber bullet fell to the ground.

Deputies believe Prudhomme was hit by a falling bullet, probably shot about 9:30 a.m. from somewhere within a 11/2-mile radius of the golf course, Fortunato said.

"He thought it was a bee sting," Fortunato said. "Within five minutes, he was back to doing his thing."

Witnesses said the bullet cut Prudhomme's skin on his arm and put a hole in his white chef's coat. But Prudhomme continued cooking until he left the course about 3:30 p.m.

Fortunato said Prudhomme did not require medical attention.

Prudhomme was at the course to cook for players, their caddies and guests of the annual PGA Tour event, which begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.