In news that saddened the world of golf, but really anybody within sports was that professional golfer Grayson Murray passed away Saturday at the age of 30-years old. Eric and Terry Murray, Grayson's parents, sent out a statement mourning the loss of their son while also providing the sensitive information that he died by suicide.
The statement from Grayson Murray's parents
Murray had withdrew himself from the the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge Friday during the second round as he was “citing an illness” as the reason per CBS Sports. The parents of the deceased said that “we have so many questions that have no answers” except for one which would be Murray was loved by everybody.
“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone,” the statement on behalf of Eric and Terry Murray read. “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. We have so many questions that have no answers. But one.”
“Was grayson loved? The answer is yes,” the statement from the parents continued. “By us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all of his extended family, by his friends, by his fellow players and it seems – by many of you who are reading this. He was loved and he will be missed. We would like to thank the PGA tour and the entire world of golf for the outpouring of support. Life wasn't always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now. Please respect our privacy as we work through this incredible tragedy, and please honor Grayson by being kind to one another. If that becomes his legacy, we could ask for nothing else. Thank you.”
PGA Tour commissioner comments on the passing of Murray
Murray had achieved success as recent as this year where he won his second PGA Tour title at The Sony Open that took place in Hawaii. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan released a statement regarding the passing of Murray and expressed that the organizer is a “family” and “when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same.”
“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,” Monahan said. “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,” Monahan continued. “They were adamant that Grayson would want us to do so. As difficult as it will be, we want to respect their wishes.”
Murray battled multiple issues as he commented earlier this year on them
He had openly dealt with “battling anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse throughout his young career” as said by CBS Sports, but also by himself after Murray won the aforementioned Sony Open. He would say that he had been sober since early 2023 and he struggled with it coming out of college.
“Yes, I would drink during tournament weeks,” Murray said after the Sony Open win. “It was my outlet. I thought I was invincible coming out here as a 22-year-old, winning as a rookie, played three days hungover when I won. Best thing and worst thing that ever happened to me was winning my rookie year — but also feeling like I was invincible.”
He was on the road to recovery and made amazing progress as he acknowledged it was not easy to get over something of that nature that could impact his profession. Murray would reportedly say that his fiancee and faith were two main factors that helped him get back on track.
“It took me a long time to get to this point,” Murray said earlier this year. “I'm a different man now. I would not be in this position right now today if I didn't put that drink down eight months ago.”
“People who don't know me, I'll have to show it through my actions, and they'll get back on Grayson's side,” Murray continued. My demeanor is so much better. It's really a lot of fun now. I really don't live and die by a golf shot 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.”
PGA Tour sending grief counselors to tournament sites
There is no doubt that Murray will be remembered forever whether it be by his family, his contemporaries, and anybody that happened to have a quick conversation with him. In an effort to make everybody as comfortable as possible, “the PGA Tour has sent grief counselors to both tournament sites this week and made others available virtually for its members” per CBS Sports.
In the original tweet from the PGA Tour releasing the statement of Murray's parents, it included an important message stating “If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the United States at 988 or visit their website at https://988lifeline.org.“
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