The parents of Grayson Murray have paid tribute to their son after confirming the two-time winner on the PGA Tour took his own life at the age of 30.
The golfing world was left in shock on Saturday when it was announced the American had died less than 24 hours after withdrawing from the second round at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas.
A statement from Murray’s parents, Eric and Terry Murray, read: ‘We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone. 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. 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.
‘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.’
Click here to resize this module
Murray withdrew after 16 holes of his second round in Texas, citing illness. He had previously spoken openly about his battles with depression, anxiety and alcoholism.
His playing partner earlier in the week, Peter Malnati, broke down in tears during an interview with CBS, saying: ‘I didn’t even know Grayson all that well, but I spent the last two days with him. We get so worked up out here about a bad break or a good break. We’re so competitive out here and you want to beat each other — and then something like this happens and you realise we’re all just humans.
‘It’s just a really hard day because you look at Grayson and you see in him someone who has visibly, outwardly struggled in the past and he’s been open about it. And you see him get his life back to a place where he’s feeling good about things.
‘Just to know that he’s not going to be doing that anymore, I think it’s a huge loss for all of us on the PGA Tour. It’s a huge loss. We lost one and that’s terrible.’
Murray, who had been a junior prodigy and was ranked 58th in the world at the time of his death, had claimed his second Tour victory earlier this year. That he had done so having wrestled severe mental health difficulties made him a figure of admiration on the circuit.
Justin Rose said: ‘I had the opportunity to spend a few rounds of golf alongside Grayson in recent weeks at Hilton Head, Quail Hollow and Valhalla. I will always remember that and use it to remind myself that you never know what challenges people have going on in their lives and how they may be internalising things. RIP Grayson and love and strength to your family and friends.’
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald posted on X: ‘Truly devastating news that Grayson Murray has passed away. He asked me for some advice on how to play Augusta a few months ago, last week I saw him at the PGA Championship, life truly is precious.
‘My condolences and prayers to his whole family that they may find some peace.’
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is playing in Texas, said: ‘I can’t imagine how difficult of a time this is. I got to know Grayson a bit better over the last six months or so.
‘There’s not really a way to put into words how sad and tragic it is, but I’m thinking about his family.’
The PGA Tour was criticised by Murray in 2021 over a lack of support during his difficult times. Commissioner Jay Monahan, who has opted against cancelling the remainder of the tournament at the request of Murray’s family, said: ‘Over the last several years I spent a lot of time with him because I wanted to understand what we could do.
‘I’m devastated by Grayson’s loss. The conversations I had with him, particularly the last year, I learned an awful lot from him. He was very open and transparent with me.
‘We don’t know the circumstances around Grayson’s passing. My conversations with Grayson in the area of mental health… we’re always challenging ourselves to make certain that we’re on the front edge of being able to provide the support that we can for everybody out here.
‘These are some of the best athletes in the world. They think they’re, in many respects, invincible.
‘One of the things I think back about Grayson’s openness is he taught us all a lesson on that front and that’s something I’ll never forget.’