In the wake of the sudden death of golfer Grayson Murray at the age of 30, his caddy has released a statement.
Murray died Saturday morning after withdrawing from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas due to an unspecified illness, according to the PGA Tour.
Murray’s caddie, Jay Green, gave his thoughts on the man who had been a PGA Tour pro for eight years.
“Grayson was the absolute best. Not only was he an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss, he was an even better friend.
‘He would really do anything for anyone. He has the best family and my heart goes out to them. We will all miss him very much.’
Grayson Murray’s caddie, Jay Green (L), offered his condolences to his former boss
Green (L) called him “an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss” and “an even better friend”
A statement released by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan read: “We are devastated to learn – and heartbroken to share – that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I’m at a loss for words.
“The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a family member, you are never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones.
“I contacted Grayson’s parents to express our deepest condolences, and during that conversation they asked if we could proceed with tournament play. They were convinced that Grayson would want us to do that. However difficult it will be, we want to respect their wishes.
“The PGA Tour has grief counselors available at both tournament sites, as well as virtually for those not in the field. I’m on my way to Fort Worth and will share more information as soon as we can.”
An emotional Jim Nantz delivered the news to a CBS audience before addressing the elephant in the room: the golf tournament viewers had tuned in to.
“I just want to say that the tour offered the family to stop playing, basically at the first hour,” Nantz explained. “The family was once again convinced that Grayson and the family want the tournament to go ahead.
‘Grayson Murray passed away far too soon, at the age of 30. It’s a sad day on the PGA Tour and one way or another it’s with heavy hearts that we’re going to cover a golf tournament.”
Murray, a North Carolina native, won his second PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in January. He also tied for 43rd at the PGA Championship last week and finished the 2024 Masters in 51st.
Murray, an eight-year tour veteran, withdrew from the tournament this week due to an ‘illness’
This week he carded a first-round 68 and then played 16 holes before withdrawing due to an unspecified illness.
Golfer Luke Donald expressed his condolences on Twitter in the wake of the news.
“Truly devastating news that Grayson Murray has passed away. He asked me a few months ago for some advice about playing Augusta. Last week I saw him at the PGA Championship, life really is precious.
“My condolences and prayers for his entire family that they may find some peace.”
At the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, when he won his second PGA Tour title, he gave a now moving interview about difficult times off the course.
“My rookie year was 2017. I was young and thought I was invincible and didn’t do the right things off the course to really give myself the best chance to succeed here,” he said.
“Over the years I’ve given in a few times and just as I was trying to give up, someone gave me a little more inspiration and said, ‘Hey, you’ve got it, you can do it.’
‘Those are just the people who are close to me, who I really lean on in difficult times and who I just have to keep pushing through. That’s the only way I know how.’
Murray, with fiancée Christiana, after winning the Sony Open in Hawaii – his second PGA win
He admitted there were “several lows”, adding: “I have spoken clearly in the past about the drinking and I am over eight months sober and I have a beautiful fiancée who I love so much, who is so supportive suits me. Me and my parents are very supportive.
“My caddy, Jay, is one of my biggest cheerleaders. And it makes everything so easy when I get inside the ropes here.
‘When everyone around me just really pulls on me and they are with me when I have those difficult days. And I still have hard days, but I feel much calmer on the ropes now.’