PGA Tour player Grayson Murray dies at 30 while at Colonial event.
The tour announced his death in an email on Saturday with statements from commissioner Jay Monahan.
PGA Tour player Grayson Murray dies at 30 while at Colonial event.
The tour announced his death in an email on Saturday with statements from commissioner Jay Monahan.
We were devastated to learn—and are heartbroken to share—that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words,” Monahan wrote. “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.
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.”
Monahan said he was en route to Fort Worth, site of this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge, and that grief counseling would be available for players and others associated with the tour.
No details have been provided about the nature of Murray’s death. He was in Fort Worth this week playing in the Schwab Challenge. Murray shot 68 at Colonial Country Club in the first round, but in the second, he made three straight bogeys and withdrew with two holes remaining, citing illness.
Murray had battled alcohol addiction and depression for years, but also experienced what looked like a career resurgence when won twice in 2023 on the Korn Ferry Tour to re-earn his PGA Tour card, and then won the Sony Open in Hawaii in January. It was his second career victory and first in seven years.
Immediately after the win, an emotional Murrary said, “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 also praised his fiancee and Jesus and said, “When you get tired of fighting, let someone else fight for you. … 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.”
On Saturday, Murray’s caddie, Jay Green, told Golf Channel, “Grayson was the absolute best. Not only was he an incredible, thoughful and generous boss, he has 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.”