Professional golfer Grayson Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, died by suicide on Saturday morning, May 25, 2024. a day after pulling out of the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, due to illness. He was 30 years old.
Murray’s parents, Eric and Terry Murray, released a statement on Sunday expressing their grief and appreciation for the support they’ve received. “We have spent the past day trying to accept that our son is no longer with us,” they said. “It’s surreal to not only face this reality ourselves but also to share it with the world. It feels like a nightmare.”
Grayson Murray was open about his struggles with alcohol and mental health, including anxiety and depression. Earlier this year, he made a significant comeback by winning the Sony Open in Hawaii.”It took me a long time to reach this stage,” Murray said in January. “That was more than seven years ago. I’m a changed man now. I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t stopped drinking eight months ago.”
Murray’s professional career began with promise. He earned full status on the PGA Tour in 2017 and won the Barbasol Championship at 23. He was a standout junior golfer, winning the Junior World Championship in San Diego three times.
However, Murray’s journey was marked by challenges. He attended three different colleges before turning professional in 2016. In 2021, he was suspended from the PGA Tour following an alcohol-related incident. He acknowledged his struggles and sought rehabilitation, contributing to his recent resurgence on the tour.
Despite his battles, Murray’s talent on the golf course never waned. He achieved notable success on the Korn Ferry Tour, winning multiple events and securing his PGA Tour card multiple times. His win at the Sony Open in January 2024 was a testament to his resilience and determination.
The PGA Tour community is deeply affected by Murray’s passing. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan traveled to Texas upon hearing the news. “The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same,” Monahan said. “We grieve for Grayson and pray for his loved ones to find comfort.”
Murray’s parents also reflected on the support they have received. “We have countless unanswered questions. But one thing is certain: Grayson was loved,” they said. “By us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all his extended family, his friends, his fellow players, and, it appears, by many of you reading this. He was loved and will be missed.”
Murray’s death has prompted discussions about mental health resources within the professional golf community. The PGA Tour announced that grief counselors would be available at this week’s PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour events. This emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and support for athletes facing similar struggles.
Grayson Murray’s life was a blend of remarkable talent and personal challenges. His victories on the golf course were matched by his battles off it. His parents hope his legacy will be one of kindness and support for one another. “If that becomes his legacy, we couldn’t ask for anything more,” they said.