US Open organizers have paid an emotional tribute to late PGA Tour star Grayson Murray, on the week he was due to play a major in his home state of North Carolina.
Murray, 30, died by suicide on May 25 at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, less than a month before he was due to return to NC to play in the US Open at Pinehurst.
Despite him not being present at the tournament, the USGA opted to still pay tribute to Murray by keeping his locker in the clubhouse, and attaching a poignant message on the front.
The silver plaque carries his name, and a message alongside it reads: ‘The USGA remembers Grayson and pays tribute to the playing accomplishments that merited his place in the 124th US Open Championship.’
Underneath, a quote reads: ‘Be kind to one another’.
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Murray is believed to have died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after leaving his SUV running in his ground-floor garage last month.
The world of golf was stunned by the news of his death, and multiple tournaments have since paid tribute to the golf star in multiple ways.
A moment of silence and an honorary tee time were held at his local club in Raleigh last week, while his heartbroken caddie was invited to carry a PGA Tour official’s bag at an upcoming tournament in a bid for him to achieve ‘normalcy’ in the wake of the tragic events.
Prior to his death, Murray had previously spoken openly about his battles with depression, anxiety and alcoholism.
Over the past year he had turned things around, however, by getting sober, regaining his PGA Tour card and winning January’s Sony Open, his first victory in seven years.
That sentiment was echoed by NBC Sports and Golf Channel reporter Todd Lewis, who saw Murray throughout his career.
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‘Early on in Grayson’s career, he had a lot of demons,’ said Lewis. ‘He battled alcoholism. He battled depression, battled anxiety.
‘He realized that it was okay to not be okay and that gave him the comfort to try and get counseling to put some positive people around him.’
Murray’s death came a day after he unexpectedly pulled out of the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. He had told his playing partners he was feeling unwell.
He was then found inside his $800,000 residence around 11am ET on Saturday, according to local police.