Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray passed away at the age of 30 on Saturday morning, as confirmed by the PGA Tour.
Murray had withdrawn from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, late on Friday during his second round, citing an illness.
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In a memo released on Saturday afternoon, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote,
“The PGA Tour is a family, and losing a member of your family changes you forever. We can only mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones.”
Monahan shared that after speaking with Murray’s parents, they agreed to continue the tournament play at Colonial.
“They were adamant that Grayson would want us to do so,” Monahan said. “As difficult as it will be, we want to respect their wishes.”
Murray, 30, had recently won the Sony Open in a playoff, marking his first victory in six years during which he faced significant mental and physical challenges.
In a 2017 Golf Channel profile, Murray had been candid about his struggles with anxiety and depression.
He revealed in January that he had sought treatment for alcohol abuse in recent years and had been sober for several months.
Following his victory at Waialae, Murray expressed optimism about his future, mentioning his renewed faith and engagement to Christiana Ritchie, whom he met in 2021.
“I wouldn’t trade anything,” Murray had said. “I have a beautiful fiancée, wonderful parents, and supportive family members. Everyone in my life right now who has been through the struggles with me, it’s all a team effort. I think this is just the start of something really special.”
As a youth, Murray was a standout prospect, winning the prestigious Junior Worlds three times and becoming the second-youngest player at 16 to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour.
After a collegiate career marked by transfers, he quickly made an impact on the PGA Tour, winning the 2017 Barbasol Championship as a 22-year-old rookie.
“Winning my rookie year was both the best and worst thing that ever happened to me,” Murray had said earlier this year, noting that he felt invincible at the time. He admitted to excessive drinking at tournaments while battling his personal issues. “It took me a long time to get to this point,” he said. “That was over seven years ago. I’m a different man now.”
Murray had made the cut in the first two majors of the year, including last week at the PGA Championship, where he finished tied for 43rd.
