PGA Tour stars honored Grayson Murray by wearing black and red ribbons for the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday, following the golfer’s tragic death at the age of 30.
Earlier Sunday, the Korn Ferry Tour held a moment of silence in honor of Murray, who won three times at that circuit before moving on to the PGA. Play was halted for three minutes at the Visit Knoxville Open on Sunday as Murray’s likeness was displayed on the tournament scoreboards.
Murray withdrew during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge, saying he wasn’t feeling well. Less than 24 hours later it was announced that he had died.
On Sunday, Murray’s parents Eric and Terry released a statement revealing that their son had died by suicide.
“Life was not always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he now rests peacefully,” the statement said.
Webb Simpson wears a ribbon on his hat following the death of Grayson Murray
Grayson Murray from the United States and fiancé Christiana are photographed in Hawaii in January
Murray revealed in January that he had been sober for eight months while embracing the Christian faith.
‘My story is not finished yet. I think it’s just beginning,” Murray said during a tournament in Hawaii. ‘I hope that in the future I can inspire many people who have their own problems.’
Murray’s parents expressed a similar hope after their son’s tragic death.
“Please honor Grayson by being kind to each other,” read the statement from Eric and Terry Murray. “If that becomes his legacy, we couldn’t ask for anything else.”
Many PGA Tour stars have openly shared their grief over Murray’s passing, including Peter Malnati, who played with the 30-year-old during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on Thursday.
The ribbons are a subtle touch, but several other players have spoken publicly about their grief
“Losing him is very difficult,” an overwhelmed Malnati told CBS Sports on Saturday. “I didn’t even know Grayson that well, but I spent the last two days with him. And we worry so much about a bad breakthrough here or a good breakthrough there…’
Malnati trailed off at that moment as he began to cry.
“We’re so competitive here,” he continued after composing himself. ‘We all want to beat each other. And then something like this happens and you realize that we are all human. It’s just a really hard day.’
Malnati then referenced Murray’s public battle with depression: “You look at Grayson and you see someone who visibly and outwardly struggled in the past and he was open about it and you see him getting his life back to a place where he feels good.” about things. It’s just so sad.’
For support, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org, or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.