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The Valspar Championship was interrupted Saturday when a young woman was hit by a golf cart, and Brooks Koepka, back on the PGA Tour after defecting to LIV Golf, sprang into action.
Koepka was seen running toward the girl to comfort her after she ended up under the golf cart, which was moving among spectators. At that time Koepka was playing the par-3 15th hole.
NBC Sports announcer Dan Hicks said the girl ended up under the golf cart but did not suffer serious injuries.
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Brooks Koepka of the United States reacts on the fifth green during the third round of the 2026 Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 21, 2026 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
“She will be fine after the medical evaluation,” roving reporter Smylie Kaufman said on air. “Very scary moment.”
Koepka, who enters the final round on Sunday tied for 13th with a score of 5 under par, spoke about the incident after his round on Saturday.
“I felt terrible because I think his name is Shay, so from all the reports we have, luckily he’s fine,” Koepka said, according to Golf.com. “So that’s all that matters, as long as she’s okay.”
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Koepka added that he thought she was “probably a little scared.”
“I felt for her at the time. So, it’s unfortunate, it shouldn’t have happened, but as long as she’s okay, no, nothing crazy happened to her, then everything will be okay.”
Koepka said the moment didn’t affect him once he returned to playing on the field.
Brooks Koepka of the United States looks on from the sixth tee during the third round of the 2026 Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 21, 2026 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
The five-time major championship winner made headlines when he reached a deal with the PGA Tour to return after defecting to LIV Golf after more than four years with the Saudi-backed rival tour. At the time, Koepka cited more family time as a key factor in his decision to exit his contract with LIV Golf.
“Brooks has felt over the years that the travel was so intense and international that it kept him away from his family, and I think as time went on, he longed to spend more time with his family and be closer to the United States,” Freedman, co-founder of Liner Freedman Taitelman + Cooley LLP, told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview.
LIV Golf has had stops in Australia, Singapore and other places around the world.
Freedman also praised the PGA Tour for welcoming Koepka with semi-open arms.
Brooks Koepka of the United States looks on from the sixth tee during the third round of the 2026 Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 21, 2026 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
“I think the reaction was really positive. It’s great. The PGA has been wonderful, they welcomed him back. He certainly has restrictions and he will respect them. But I think they’ve been incredible in the way they’ve welcomed him,” Freedman explained. “I think he’s very excited.” I think he’s excited to make peace with the players and do the best he can to just be a golfer among golfers, like a worker among workers, and really go in there and be humble and walk with the humility and grace that Brooks walks with.”
In his four events so far this season, Koepka has one top-10 finish and two top-25 finishes, making three of four cuts in a successful return to the PGA Tour.
