On Saturday, PGA commissioner Jay Monahan announced Grayson Murray, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, had died. With hopes of honoring their son, Murray’s parents, Eric and Terry, released a special request for golfers participating in the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday.
“The Murray family has requested that players and caddies wear black or red ribbons as a show of support for Grayson during today’s final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge,” the PGA Tour wrote. “Grayson wore red and black on PGA TOUR Sundays as a tribute for being a longtime fan of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.”
Murray withdrew from this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge after 16 holes in the second round due to an illness. He was 5-over during the round, which came after he shot a 68 to open play this week. On Sunday, Murray’s parents released a heartfelt message regarding Grayson’s death.
“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone,” they wrote. “It’s surreal that we not only have to admit it to ourselves, but that we also have to acknowledge it to the world. 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 honor Grayson by being kind to one another. If that becomes his legacy, we could ask for nothing else.”
Murray started out the 2024 season strong, winning the Sony Open in Hawaii with a score of 17-under. He then missed three cuts in four tournaments but got back on track when he finished 25th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March.
One month later, Murray played in his first career Masters at Augusta National, finishing 51st in the field at 10-over. He also played in last week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville and came in tied for 43rd with a score of 6-under.
Murray played college golf at Wake Forest, East Carolina and Arizona State before turning professional in 2015. Prior to this season, his only other win on the Tour came in 2017. He didn’t play on the PGA Tour last year but regained his card while playing on the Korn Ferry Tour.
On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this story.
