Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday.
He withdrew from the event in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday with two holes to go, citing illness, the PGA Tour announced during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan issued a memo to members.
“We are heartbroken to learn that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning and are heartbroken to share that we are at a loss for words,” Monahan said. “The PGA Tour is like a family and when you lose a member of your family, it’s never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones.”
The PGA Tour is heartbroken to announce the passing of Grayson Murray, who won his second PGA Tour event at the Sony Open in January. He was 30 years old. pic.twitter.com/fKljh7wSbn
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) May 25, 2024
“We have reached out to Grayson’s parents to express our deepest condolences and, in that conversation, they have requested that tournament play continue,” Commissioner Monahan continued. “They have been adamant that this is his wish and, although difficult, we will respect their wishes.”
Monahan also said grief counselors will be available at PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour events this week. The commissioner is on the road to the Charles Schwab Challenge and said more information will be shared as it becomes available.
His caddie, Jay Green, also released a statement after the news broke Saturday afternoon.
“Grayson was the absolute best,” he texted Brently Romine. “Not only was he an incredibly caring and generous boss, but even more so, an amazing friend. He truly would have done anything for anyone. He had the best family and my heart goes out to them. We will all miss him so much.”
A message from caddie Jay Green:
“Grayson was the best. Not only was he an incredibly thoughtful and generous boss, but he was an even greater friend. He would truly do anything for anyone. He had the most amazing family and my heart goes out to them. We will all miss him so much.”
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) May 25, 2024
Murray, a Raleigh native, played at Wake Forest, East Carolina and Arizona State during his collegiate years, but was given a special sponsorship opportunity on the Korn Ferry Tour near his hometown of Raleigh.
He finished inside the top 10 that week and qualified for the next event with another top 10 finish at the BMW Charity Open.
Murray won his first PGA Tour title as a rookie in 2017 and his second career victory earlier this year at the Sony Open in Hawaii, where he won in a playoff after sinking a 40-foot birdie putt on the 73rd hole to beat Ahn Byung-hun and Keegan Bradley.
The win propelled him to 46th in the Official Golf Rankings.
From there, Murray’s career soared. There were certainly ups and downs, and Murray has spoken openly about his struggles with alcohol, anxiety and depression. But his win in Hawaii put his career on an upswing. He spoke optimistically about his future and his rediscovered faith. Murray was also engaged to and planned to marry Christiana Richie, whom he met in 2021.
Murray made the cut in the first two majors this year, finishing 51st at the Masters and tied for 43rd at last week’s PGA Championship.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a Golf Staff Writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow us for more golf articles. Follow You can follow us on all major social platforms. You can also follow us on Twitter Follow Instagram: @savannah_leigh_sports
