Grayson Murray, the professional golfer who won two PGA Tour titles and spoke openly about his battles with depression and alcohol, died Saturday. He was 30 years old.
His death was confirmed in a statement Saturday by the PGA Tour. He committed suicide, according to a PGA Tour statement issued Sunday on behalf of his parents.
“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone,” the statement said. “It’s surreal that we not only have to admit it to ourselves, but we also have to admit it to the world.”
After a successful 40-foot putt to win the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, Murray rose to No. 46 in the Official World Golf Ranking, a career-high. The event marked the climax of a career comeback after several volatile years as Murray struggled with his mental health.
In a press conference after winning the Sony Open, Murray said that for a time he drank during the weeks of the tournament.
“The best and worst thing that ever happened to me was winning my rookie year, but also feeling invincible,” he said. “I’m a different man now and I wouldn’t be in this position right now, today, if I hadn’t quit that drink eight months ago.”
He added that he had been attending rehab for a month. “I hope I can inspire a lot of people who have their own problems in the future,” she said. Murray had failed to obtain PGA status for several months last year after a series of off-course events reflected a decline in his game.
An alcohol-related incident at a hotel bar in Hawaii in 2021 led to his suspension from the PGA. Later, he posted on social media.
“Why was he drunk?” he wrote, adding that he was an “alcoholic who hates everything to do with PGA Tour life and that is my scapegoat.”
Golfer Phil Mickelson, who has battled a gambling addiction, responded at the time on social media by saying, “If I can help in any way, I would be happy to do so.”
This year, Murray played well enough to qualify for the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship. On Friday he withdrew from the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, citing illness.
Grayson Murray was born on October 1, 1993 in Raleigh, North Carolina, according to an Keynote USA biography. Mr. Murray is survived by his parents, Eric and Terry, and his brother, Cameron, and his sister, Erica, according to the statement.
He attended Wake Forest, East Carolina and Arizona State universities, and at age 16 became the second-youngest player to enter the Korn Ferry Tour, according to the PGA.
He continued to rise to prominence, playing in the US Open at the age of 19 and notching a victory at the 2017 Barbasol Championship, sinking a five-foot putt for a one-stroke victory.
After losing his PGA Tour card for the 2023 season and following an angry outburst directed at Monahan, he appeared to have found his swing again. He won two Korn Ferry Tour tournaments last year, regaining his PGA eligibility, and finished in the top 10 in two events.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.
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