The PGA Tour announced the sad and tragic news that golfer Grayson Murray died Saturday morning. He was 30 years old.
“We were devastated to learn – and are heartbroken to share – that PGA TOUR player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a statement.
“The PGA TOUR is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones.
“I reached out to Grayson’s parents to offer our deepest condolences, and during that conversation, they asked that we continue with tournament play. They were adamant that Grayson would want us to do so. As difficult as it will be, we want to respect their wishes.
“The PGA TOUR has grief counselors available at both tournament sites, as well as virtually for those not in the field. I am en route to Ft. Worth and will share more information when we can.”
There were no concrete, immediate details on the circumstances surrounding his death.
Murray was part of this week’s field at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas but was forced to withdraw during Friday’s second round, due to an illness.
The Tour strongly considered suspending play at the tournament but, according to the legendary Jim Nantz on the CBS broadcast, Murray’s family and loved ones insisted the event continue.
In January, Murray earned his second PGA Tour victory by winning the Sony Open in Hawaii in a playoff, punctuating a six-year winless drought.
After a decorated amateur career that included a trio of Junior World Championship victories and becoming then the second-youngest golfer to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour at age 16, Murray won his inaugural PGA Tour tournament as a rookie at the Barbasol Championship in July 2017.
He struggled on and off the course in the years following that victory. He told The Golf Channel in a riveting interview, he battled depression and anxiety and eventually received treatment for alcohol abuse. Murray had reportedly been sober for several months and appeared to be on the right track and doing much better. His win in January was seen as a moment of redemption at the time.
As players finished their rounds on Saturday and news began to circulate, many in the golf community shared their thoughts on Murray. Peter Malnati, who played with Murray the first two rounds in Fort Worth this week, could not hold back tears and was extremely emotional speaking with the CBS broadcast on Saturday.
Jay Green, Murray’s caddie, told Golf Channel on Saturday afternoon, “Grayson was the absolute best. Not only was he an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss, he was an even better friend. He truly would do anything for anyone. He has the best family, and my heart goes out to them. We will all miss him deeply.”
Update: The parents of professional golfer Grayson Murray on Sunday said the two-time PGA Tour winner died by suicide Saturday morning.
“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone,” Eric and Terry Murray said in a statement. “It’s surreal that we not only have to admit it to ourselves, but that we also have to acknowledge it to the world. It’s a nightmare.
“… Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now.”
