The sudden death of Grayson Murray on Saturday sent shock waves through the golf world.
His mother and father, Eric and Terry Murray A statement was issued Details of his cause of death were released by the PGA Tour on Sunday.
“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone. It feels surreal that we have to admit this not only to ourselves but to the world. It’s a nightmare,” Murray’s parents said.
Fellow PGA Tour members offered condolences to him and his family as they began to process the tragic news. A dark cloud hung over professional golf on Saturday, and continues to do so.
It’s hard to understand what his parents are going through right now, but they found a way to put these words together with the tragedy still fresh in everyone’s minds.
“There are so many unanswered questions, but one: Was Grayson loved? The answer is yes. He was loved by us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all of his extended family, his friends, his fellow players and, apparently, many of you reading this.”
“We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from the PGA Tour and the golf community at large. Life hasn’t always been easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he is now resting peacefully.”
Below is a statement from Grayson’s parents, Eric and Terry Murray.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the US Suicide and Crisis Helpline at 988 or visit their website: https://t.co/j0traBx8ia. pic.twitter.com/wPsaYMrWrH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 26, 2024
Murray played in the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth on Thursday but withdrew with two holes remaining on Friday due to illness.
The news was revealed Saturday afternoon when PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan released a statement.
“We are speechless,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. “The PGA Tour is like a family, and when we lose a member of it, it’s never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones.”
Monahan decided not to cancel the tournament because Murray’s parents asked that their son continue, as he wished, and the commissioner said grief counselors would be present at events this week on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour.
Murray has struggled with anxiety and depression throughout his career and has also struggled with alcohol in the past, but his life got turned around in the right direction when he won the Sony Open in Hawaii in January.
At the time, Murray said he had been sober for eight months and spoke candidly about his struggles off the golf course and his newfound faith.
Murray’s parents concluded their statement with a powerful message to the nation as they and the entire golf community mourn their loss.
“Please respect our privacy as we navigate this incredible tragedy and honour Grayson by being kind to one another,” they said. “If that will be his legacy, we couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Notes: If you or someone you know is in distress or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach a representative from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or 988 Lifeline.
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
