Professional golfer Grayson Murray, 30, dies by suicide after withdrawing from Charles Schwab Challenge

Professional golfer Grayson Murray has died. He was 30 years old. Murray’s death comes after he withdrew on Friday during the second round of the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge, citing illness.

A day after Murray’s death rocked the sporting world, his parents announced in a statement through the PGA Tour that he died by suicide.

“We would like to thank the PGA Tour and the entire golf world for their outpouring of support,” said Eric and Terry Murray. “Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests in peace now.”

An undeniable talent, Murray was the second youngest golfer in history to play on the Korn Ferry Tour before turning pro in 2015. He has bounced up and down between the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour throughout his career. , becoming a polarizing figure at times because of frequent outbursts on the course.

Still, his potential shined consistently as he won twice on the PGA Tour – capturing the 2017 Barbasol Championship and the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii – and three times on the Korn Ferry Tour.

When he won the Sony Open, it appeared that Murray had turned the corner after struggling with anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse throughout his young career. He said in January that he had been sober since early 2023. He also shared that he wasn’t prepared for life as a professional when he left college and started traveling.

“Yes, I drank during tournament weeks,” Murray said after his Sony Open victory. “It was my escape valve. I thought I was invincible coming here at 22, winning as a rookie, I played three days hungover when I won. The best and worst thing that ever happened to me was winning my rookie year – but it also made me feeling invincible.”

Murray cited his faith and his fiancée as helping to keep him grounded and spoke about his road to recovery.

“It took me a long time to get to this point,” he said. “…I’m a different man now. I wouldn’t be in this position now if I hadn’t given up that drink eight months ago.”

Murray added, “People who don’t know me, I’m going to have to show that through my actions, and they’ll come back to Grayson’s side. My behavior is a lot better. It’s actually a lot of fun now. I don’t really live and die anymore by a shot of golf. I’m not going to sit here and say everything will be glory and roses, but it will be much better.

The PGA Tour considered postponing play at the Charles Schwab Challenge as the The golf world was shaken by Murray’s death. However, his parents insisted that the tournament continue as scheduled, as that was what their son wanted.

“We were devastated to learn – and heartbroken to share – that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I am speechless,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement Saturday. “The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones.

“I contacted Grayson’s parents to offer our deepest condolences, and during that conversation they asked that we continue with the tournament. your wishes.”

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Murray attended Wake Forest, East Carolina and Arizona State, where he played golf before turning pro. In 141 career PGA Tour starts, Murray has 10 top-10 finishes, including these two wins.

The PGA Tour sent grief counselors to both tournament sites this week and made others available virtually to its members.