Professional golfer Grayson Murray, 30, died by suicide after withdrawing from the Charles Schwab Challenge
Professional golfer Grayson Murray has passed away. He is 30 years old. Murray’s death comes after he withdrew Friday from the second round of the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge, citing illness.
A day after Murray’s death rocked the wider sports world, his parents announced in a statement through the PGA Tour that he died by suicide.
“We thank the PGA Tour and the entire golf world for their overwhelming support,” said Eric and Terry Murray. “Life was not always easy for Grayson and although he took his own life, we know he is now at peace.”
An undeniable talent, Murray was the second youngest golfer in history to make it onto the Korn Ferry Tour before turning professional in 2015. He bounced up and down between the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour throughout his career. his, becoming at times a divisive figure because of his frequent outbursts on the field.
Still, his potential was on display as he won twice on the PGA Tour – winning the 2017 Barbasol Championship and the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii – and three times on the Korn Ferry Tour.
When he won the Sony Open, it appeared Murray had turned a corner after battling anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse throughout his young career. He said in January that he has been sober since the beginning of 2023. He also shared that he was not prepared for professional life when he first graduated and started traveling.
“Yes, I will drink during tournament weeks,” Murray said after his Sony Open victory. “That was my way out. I thought I was invincible when I came here as a 22-year-old, won as a rookie, played on a three-day binge when I won. The best and worst thing The worst that ever happened to me was winning my rookie year.” — but also feeling like I’m invincible.”
Murray credited his faith and his fiancee for helping him, and he spoke about his road to recovery.
“It took me a long time to get to this point,” he said. “… I’m a different man now. I wouldn’t be in this position today if I hadn’t put down that glass of wine eight months ago.”
Murray added: “People who don’t know me, I will have to show it through my actions and they will come back to Grayson’s side. My demeanor is a lot better. It’s really fun now. I really.” Don’t live and die by one golf swing anymore. I’m not going to sit here and say it’s going to be all glory and roses, but it’s going to be a lot better.”
The PGA Tour considers the postponement of play in the Charles Schwab Challenge as The golf world was rocked by Murray’s death. However, his parents insisted the tournament continue as scheduled because that is what their son wanted.
“We are heartbroken to learn – and heartbroken to share – that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement Saturday. I don’t know what to say.” “The PGA Tour is a family and when you lose a family member, you are never the same again. We mourn Grayson and pray for the comfort of his loved ones.
“I reached out to Grayson’s parents to offer my deepest condolences and during that conversation they asked us to continue playing in the tournament. They were adamant that Grayson would have wanted us to do so . No matter how difficult it is, we still want to be respectful.” their wishes.”
A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Murray attended Wake Forest, East Carolina and Arizona State, where he played golf before turning professional. In 141 PGA Tour career starts, Murray has 10 top-10 finishes, including those two wins.
The PGA Tour sent grief counselors to both tournament sites this week and offered other locations to its members.
