Brooks Koepka Consoles Young Girl After Golf Cart Incident at Valspar Championship

The professional golfer rushed to help the child who was struck and pinned underneath a slow-moving golf cart during the tournament.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:05am

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During the 2026 Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida, a young girl was struck and pinned underneath a golf cart carrying fans around the course. Professional golfer Brooks Koepka immediately went to the girl's aid, comforting her until medical staff arrived and determined she had not sustained any serious injuries. The incident caused a brief delay in play, but Koepka said it did not significantly impact his performance that day.

Why it matters

Golf tournaments often have spectators in close proximity to the action, raising safety concerns, especially for young fans. Koepka's quick response to assist the injured child reflects the sport's emphasis on community and player accountability, even in the midst of high-stakes competition.

The details

According to on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman, the incident occurred near the 15th hole during the second round of the Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club's Copperhead Course. The golf cart, which was carrying fans around the course, struck and pinned the young girl underneath. Koepka immediately went under the ropes to talk to the girl and comfort her until medical staff could assess her condition.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday, March 21, 2026 during the second round of the Valspar Championship.
  • Play was delayed for about five minutes while the girl received medical attention.

The players

Brooks Koepka

A professional golfer who rushed to the aid of the young girl struck by the golf cart.

Smylie Kaufman

An on-course reporter and former PGA Tour winner who witnessed the incident and provided details.

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What they’re saying

“Brooks Koepka went underneath the ropes to talk to the girl and comfort her.”

— Smylie Kaufman, On-course reporter and former PGA Tour winner

“She's OK, thankfully, so that's all that matters. I know she's probably a little scared, and I just felt for her at the time.”

— Brooks Koepka

“It's unfortunate, it shouldn't have happened. But as long as she's OK — and nothing crazy happened to her — then it will be OK.”

— Brooks Koepka

What’s next

The Valspar Championship organizers stated they would review safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

Koepka's quick action to assist the injured child demonstrates the importance of player accountability and community engagement, even at the highest levels of professional golf. This incident highlights the need for continued vigilance around fan safety at sporting events.