Young Girl Struck, Run Over by Golf Cart at Valspar Championship

Golfer Brooks Koepka says "It shouldn't have happened" after the incident at the Florida golf tournament.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:21pm

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A young girl was struck and run over by a golf cart during the 2026 Valspar Championship golf tournament in Palm Harbor, Florida on March 21. Golfer Brooks Koepka, who was playing in the tournament, rushed over to comfort the child after the incident and said "It's unfortunate. It shouldn't have happened." The child was evaluated by medical staff and was not seriously injured.

Why it matters

Golf tournaments often have large crowds and the use of golf carts to transport spectators, raising safety concerns when incidents like this occur. The Valspar Championship is a high-profile PGA Tour event, so this incident has drawn significant attention and raises questions about safety protocols at such events.

The details

The young girl was struck and pinned under a golf cart near the 15th hole during the second day of the Valspar Championship tournament. Golfer Brooks Koepka, who was playing in the tournament, rushed over to the child and said he "felt terrible" for her. The golf cart that hit the girl was transporting spectators around the course when the incident occurred.

  • The incident took place on March 21, 2026 during the second day of the Valspar Championship golf tournament.

The players

Brooks Koepka

A 35-year-old professional golfer who was playing in the 2026 Valspar Championship when the incident occurred.

Smylie Kaufman

A 34-year-old professional golfer who was covering the tournament for Golf Channel and reported on the incident involving the young girl.

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What they’re saying

“It's unfortunate. It shouldn't have happened.”

— Brooks Koepka, Professional Golfer

“Brooks Koepka went underneath the ropes to talk to the girl and comfort her. She's going to be okay after medical evaluation.”

— Smylie Kaufman, Professional Golfer and Golf Channel Commentator

What’s next

The Valspar Championship organizers have not yet commented on the incident, but they are likely reviewing safety protocols and procedures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for golf tournaments to prioritize spectator safety, especially with the use of golf carts to transport large crowds. While the young girl was not seriously injured, the situation could have been much worse, and it serves as a wake-up call for tournament organizers to reevaluate their safety measures and ensure the well-being of all attendees.