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The Valspar Championship had a stoppage of play Saturday when a young girl was hit by a golf cart, and Brooks Koepka, returning to the PGA Tour after defecting to LIV Golf, sprang into action.
Koepka was seen running to the girl to comfort her after she found herself under the golf cart, which was moving around spectators. At that time, Koepka was playing the par-3 15th hole.
NBC Sports broadcaster Dan Hicks said the girl ended up under the golf cart but was not seriously injured.
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Brooks Koepka of the United States reacts on the fifth green during the third round of the 2026 Valspar Championship at 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 a medical evaluation,” traveling reporter Smylie Kaufman said live. “Very scary moment.”
Koepka, who heads into Sunday’s final round tied for 13th at 5 under, spoke about the incident after his round Saturday.
“I felt bad because I believe her name is Shay, so from all the reports you have, she’s OK, fortunately,” Koepka said, according to Golf.com. “So that’s all that matters, as long as she’s okay.”
BROOKS KOEPKA’S ATTORNEY PROVIDES INSIGHT ON GOLFER’S LIV DEPARTURE AND RETURN TO PGA TOUR
Koepka added that he thought she was “probably a little scared.”
“I just felt for her in that moment. 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 the course.
Brooks Koepka of the United States watches from the sixth tee during the third round of the 2026 Valspar Championship at 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 rival Saudi-backed tour. At the time, Koepka cited more family time as a key factor in his decision to opt out of his contract with LIV Golf.
“Brooks felt over the years that the travel was so intense and so international that it took him away from his family, and I think over time he wanted to spend more time with his family and be closer to the United States,” Freedman, co-founder of Liner Freedman Taitelman + Cooley LLP, told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview.
LIV Golf has toured Australia, Singapore and other locations around the world.
Freedman also praised the PGA Tour for welcoming Koepka with semi-open arms.
Brooks Koepka of the United States watches from the sixth tee during the third round of the 2026 Valspar Championship at 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 has been really positive. It’s great. The PGA has been wonderful, they’ve welcomed him back. He definitely has restrictions and he’ll respect them. “But I think they’ve been amazing in the way they’ve welcomed him back,” Freedman said. “I think he’s really excited. I think he’s excited to make amends with the players and do his best to kind of be a golfer among golfers, as a worker among workers, and really go out there and be humble and come in with the humility and grace that Brooks walks with. “
In his four events so far this season, Koepka has finished in the top 10 and twice in the top 25, making three of four selections in a successful return to the PGA Tour.
