Grayson Murray’s sudden passing overwhelms tearful Peter Malnati

Golfer Peter Malnati was brought to tears on Saturday while discussing Grayson Murray’s sudden passing after playing the first two rounds with his late rival at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Forth Worth.

‘Losing him is really hard,’ the overwhelmed Malnati told CBS Sports. ‘I didn’t even know Grayson all that well, but I spent the last two days with him. And we get so worked up about a bad break here or a good break there…’

Malnati trailed off at that point as he began to cry.

‘We’re so competitive out here,’ he continued after composing himself. ‘We all want to beat each other. And then something like this happens and you realize we’re all just humans. It’s just a really hard day.’

Malnati then referenced Murray’s public battle with depression: ‘You look at Grayson and you see someone who has visibly, outwardly struggled in the past and he was open about it and you see him kind of get his life back to a place where he’s feeling good about things. It’s just so sad.’

Murray’s passing was announced by the PGA Tour on Saturday – 24 hours after he withdrew towards the end of his second round the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas. He had told his playing partners he was feeling unwell.

No cause of death has been issued, with commissioner Jay Monahan left ‘lost for words’.

‘We were devastated to learn – and are heartbroken to share – that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning,’ Monahan said of the world No 58.

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‘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.’

Only last month Murray’s fiancée, Christiana, caddied for him during the Par 3 contest ahead of The Masters. The couple was reportedly due to marry in the spring of 2024. He had previously spoken about his struggles with alcohol and his mental health.

‘My parents have been through hell and back basically for the last six years with me, fighting some mental stuff,’ he once revealed.

‘It’s not easy on me and the people around me that love me. They don’t like to see me down and they’ve been my No 1 supporters and everyone has their battles.

‘Sometimes people are able to hide them and function and sometimes you’re not. I think our society is getting better now about accepting that it’s OK to not be OK.’

He added: ‘I’m not ashamed that I go through depression and anxiety. I know I’ve helped people out in the past just through my social media DMs – people messaging me – and I can use my platform to continue to help with things like that.’

At the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, when he won his second PGA Tour title, the North Carolina-native gave a now-poignant interview about hard times away from the course.

‘My rookie year was 2017 – I was young and thought I was invincible and wasn’t doing the correct stuff off the course to really give myself the best chance to succeed out here,’ he said.

‘Over the years, I’ve given in a few times and then right when I try to give up, someone gives me a little bit more inspiration, saying: ‘Hey you got it, you can do it’

‘Those are just the people that are close to me that I really lean on in hard times and I just have to keep pushing through. That’s the only way I know how.’

He admitted there were ‘multiple low points,’ adding: ‘I’ve obviously been vocal about the alcohol use in the past and I’m over eight months sober and I have a beautiful fiancée that I love so much, who’s so supportive of me and my parents are so supportive of me.

‘My caddie, Jay (Green), is one of my biggest cheerleaders. And it just makes everything so easy when I get out here inside the ropes. When everyone in my circle is just really pulling for me and they’re right there with me when I do have those hard days. And I still have hard days but I feel a lot more at peace inside the ropes now.’

Green released a heartbreaking statement shortly after Murray’s death was confirmed. ‘Grayson was the absolute best. Not only was he an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss, he was an even better friend,’ he said.

‘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.’

Earlier this week, Murray shot a two-under-par 68 in his opening round but was five over for his second round when he pulled out of the tournament.

Play continued at Colonial on Saturday, even after the devastating news, with Monahan revealing: ‘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 (this week’s PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour events), 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.’

Murray was a brilliant prospect, winning three consecutive Callaway Junior World Championships between 2006 and 2008. He made his first cut on the Korn Ferry Tour at the age of just 16 and was the top-ranked golfer in his age group.

He then turned professional back in 2015 before going on to win twice on the PGA Tour. Murray picked up his first title in 2017 at the Barbasol Championship, when he was just 24. His second and final title came in January in Hawaii.

Murray tied for 43rd at last week’s PGA Championship and ended the 2024 Masters in 51st.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald also paid tribute to Murray, writing on social media on Saturday: ‘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.’