'At a loss for words': Tourny continues after shocking death of 30-year-old PGA golfer

Grayson Murray, an American professional golfer who just won his second PGA Tour victory months ago, died on Saturday from suicide.

“We were devastated to learn – and are heartbroken to share – that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement Saturday, according to PGATour.com.

“I am at a loss for words. 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,” he added.

Murray died a day after he mysteriously withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge (a tournament on the PGA Tour) as per an unspecified “illness” after playing 16 holes without any problems.

“I reached out to Grayson’s parents to offer our deepest condolences, and during that conversation, they asked that we continue with tournament play,” commissioner Monahan added. “They were adamant that Grayson would want us to do so. As difficult as it will be, we want to respect their wishes.”

The parents also released a statement — one in which they expressed deep shock and agony over their son’s death:

Eric and Terry Murray have released a statement following the passing of their son, Grayson. pic.twitter.com/wjBmGDLvRC

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 26, 2024

“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone,” they said. “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. He was loved and he will be missed,” they added.

Murray was from Raleigh and became considered to be one of the world’s best junior players after he won the IMG Junior World title in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

According to PGATour.com, at the age of 16 he became the second youngest golfer to ever make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour. Three years later at the age of 19, he reportedly played in the 2013 U.S. Open. Four years later, he won the Barbasol Championship at just 23 years old.

Grayson’s caddie, Jay Green, also issued a statement praising him as “an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss.”

His caddie Jay Green via text:

“Grayson was the absolute best. Not only was he an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss, he was an even better friend. 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.”

— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) May 25, 2024

The question remains, why did he kill himself? The evidence points to his past struggles with depression and alcoholism.

Murray detailed some of these struggles while speaking after winning the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii back in January.

“I would drink during tournament weeks,” he said. “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.”

“It took me a long time to get to this point. That was seven years ago, over seven years ago. 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. It’s not easy. I wanted to give up a lot of times. Give up on myself. Give up on the game of golf. Give up on life, at times,” he added.

Murray also praised his fiancée, Christiana Ritchie, who now survives him, for helping him through the hard times.

“When you get tired of fighting, let someone else fight for you,” he said. “I hope everyone at home watching can get a little inspiration from it. If I can just help one person, that’s all it takes … I knew today was not going to change my life, but it did change my career, and I’m excited.”

Murray also admitted to having felt like a “waste of talent” and failure despite having accomplished so much.

“There are days where I didn’t want to get out of bed,” he said. “I just thought I was a failure. I always looked at myself as a failure. I thought I had a lot of talent that was just a waste of talent.”

Senior Staff Writer
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

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