The parents of Grayson Murray have issued a devastating statement urging people to be “kind to one another” as they confirmed the two-time PGA Tour winner took his own life.
Murray, 30, withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas with two holes remaining on Friday’s second round but the next morning it was announced he had died.
He had cited illness when he left the course.
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Murray had fought back from mental health and alcohol issues and was sober for eight months at the time of his death, celebrating his turnaround — and what it meant for his parents Eric and Terry — when he took his second career win in January this year.
“Going to bed at night, my parents don’t have to worry (about) getting that phone call, which is probably the best gift I can give them,” he said recently.
“Obviously, I’m at more peace. And giving them that peace of mind, now they can focus on just being loving parents … I hope that adds a lot of life to their life.”
The Murray family is now picking up the pieces and “trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone”.
“It’s surreal that we not only have to admit it to ourselves, but that we also have to acknowledge it to the world,” Eric and Terry said.
“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.
“We would like to thank the PGA Tour and the entire world of golf for the outpouring of support. Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now.
“Please respect our privacy as we work through this incredible tragedy, and please honour Grayson by being kind to one another.
“If that becomes his legacy, we could ask for nothing else. Thank you.”
Murray was engaged to partner Christiana Ritchie and previously said there were plans to marry this year.
The Charles Schwab Challenge continued in memory of Murray, with golfers and carries wearing red and black ribbons on Sunday.
“Super sad day in the golf world. My heart just goes to him and his family. There was definitely a little extra to play for today,” winner Davis Riley said.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler conceded after his round that it was “pretty difficult” to play but felt continuing on, with the backing of Murray’s parents, honoured their friend and colleague.
“Obviously, the news hasn’t really sunk in quite yet, but I’m thinking about his family and praying hard for all of them,” Scheffler said earlier.
“I can’t imagine how difficult of a time this is. I got to know Grayson a bit better over the last six months or so.
“There’s not really a way to put into words how sad and tragic it is, but I’m thinking about his family.”
Peter Malnati broke down in tears as the grief struck during an interview.
“I didn’t know Grayson all that well, but I spent the last two days with him,” Malnati said.
“It’s funny, we get so worked up out here about a bad break here or a good break there. We’re so competitive. We’re so competitive out here. We all want to beat each other. Then something like this happens, and you realise we’re all just humans.
“It’s a really hard day because you look at Grayson and you see someone who has visibly, outwardly struggled in the past, and he’s been open about it.
“And you see him get his life back to a place where he’s feeling good about things. It’s just so sad. I was with him yesterday. He’s playing great! His game is so good! He’s so good at golf.”
Murray had been open about his battles with anxiety and depression, and revealed in January that he had sought treatment in the past few years for alcohol abuse but had been sober for several months.
Three years ago he posted on social media that he felt the PGA Tour did not do enough to assist players who dealt with illnesses such as his.
“When Grayson said that, I called him right away,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said on Saturday.
“Over the last several years I spent a lot of time with him because I wanted to understand what we could do, in his opinion, to help everybody else out here.
“I’m devastated by Grayson’s loss. The conversations I had with him, particularly the last year, I learned an awful lot from him. He was very open and transparent with me.
“We don’t know the circumstances around Grayson’s passing. My conversations with Grayson in the area of mental health…we’re always challenging ourselves to make certain that we’re on the front edge of being able to provide the support that we can for everybody out here.
“These are some of the best athletes in the world. They think they’re, in many respects, invincible.
“One of the things I think back about Grayson’s openness is he taught us all a lesson on that front and that’s something I’ll never forget.”
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
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