A little girl was struck and subsequently left pinned underneath a golf cart during the 2026 Valspar Championship in Florida.
“Brooks Koepka went underneath the ropes to talk to the girl and comfort her,” on-course reporter and former PGA Tour winner Smylie Kaufman reported on Saturday, March 21, near the 15th hole during the second day of play at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club (Copperhead Course) in Palm Harbor, Florida.
“Very scary moment … I am sure Brooks Koepka’s heard is still spinning a little bit,” Kaufman added.
According to the reporter, the child was quickly assessed by the tournament’s medical staff, who did not report that the child sustained any injuries. The vehicle was reportedly “carrying fans around the course when the incident happened,” according to the Golf Channel.
“She’s OK, thankfully, so that’s all that matters,” Koepka told reporters after the incident and at the end of Saturday’s round of play. “I know she’s probably a little scared, and I just felt for her at the time.”
The professional golfer added at the time, “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 Getty Images
The minor’s name has not been publicly released.
A spokesperson for the Valspar Championship confirmed the incident, adding in a statement that the young girl was not seriously injured by what they described as a “slow-moving” vehicle.”
“After a few anxious moments, it was determined that she had not sustained any serious injuries. After her mother apologized, she left on her own with her family, and to our knowledge did not require any further medical assistance beyond that she quickly received on the scene,” the representative added. “Pros Brooks Koepka and Danny Walker did a commendable job in summoning help and providing comfort and assistance. Play was delayed at the hole for about five minutes.”
In the wake of the tense and scary situation, Koepka hit a double-bogey on the par-4 16th hole, leaving the golfer seven shots behind lead golfer Sungjae Im.
“I’m a long ways away. I felt like I needed to get to, at least, it would have been nice to stay at 6,” Koepka said of his Saturday play, according to the outlet Golf. “I need a real low one tomorrow.”
When asked if he believed the incident impacted his level of play, Koepka replied in the negative.
“Not golf-wise, no,” he said.
