Scottie Scheffler delivered a heartfelt tribute to his friend and fellow golfer, Grayson Murray, who tragically took his own life last month.
Scheffler, currently the world’s top-ranked golfer, joined numerous PGA Tour colleagues on Tuesday, June 4, at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, to remember Murray.
“We’re not meant to go through life alone,” Scheffler shared with those gathered, as reported by Sports Illustrated. “We all have more baggage than we often reveal — myself included.”
Murray, who was 30 and had openly discussed his battles with mental health and alcoholism, was found deceased in his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on May 25.
Reflecting on what more could have been done, Scheffler expressed, “You always wonder if there was something more you could have done to prevent such a tragedy.”
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At the time of his passing, Murray was making efforts to integrate his fiancée, Christiana Ritchie, into the PGA Tour community, connecting her with other partners, including Scheffler’s wife, Meredith Scudder.
“He was striving to be the best version of himself, looking forward to marriage and fatherhood,” Scheffler remarked. “It’s heartbreaking that he won’t have that future.”
The Guardian reported that Scheffler recounted a memorable moment from a year prior during a nine-hole practice round before The Players Championship, where Murray’s joy over a friendly wager was particularly striking.
“You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face when I handed him $100 on the ninth green. He truly loved the game and being out here,” Scheffler said.
Ending his speech, Scheffler was visibly moved, weeping and seeking comfort from his wife, as noted by The Guardian.
While Murray’s family, including Ritchie, were not present, they had held a separate celebration of life earlier in the week. The event featured tributes from Murray’s longtime coach Ted Kiegiel, NHL’s Jaccob Slavin, and a performance by country musician Jake Owen, making it a poignant commemoration of Murray’s life.
