Scottie Scheffler in tears as golfers remember life of ‘kind’ Grayson Murray
Dozens of golfers gathered Tuesday for a solemn celebration of Grayson Murray’s life.
“All of us on the PGA Tour have heavy hearts and will continue to do so for a long time,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, his voice occasionally cracking. “When you lose a family member, you can never put all the pieces back together.”
The 30-year-old has struggled with alcoholism and depression, but had recently spoken about getting sober, getting engaged and his optimism for the future. He took his own life last month, a day after withdrawing from the Charles Schwab Challenge.
The ceremony took place in a garden at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio. Murray’s parents, siblings and fiancée were not present at the ceremony, but dozens of his fellow professionals were in attendance.
Among those who spoke at the ceremony was Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who got to know Murray better early this year, when Murray was trying to get his fiancée more involved with some players’ wives.
Scheffler talked about playing a nine-hole practice round they played at The Players Championship.
“The look on his face when I gave him $100 on the ninth green is something I will remember for a long time because you couldn’t wipe that smile off his face,” Scheffler said. “Without a doubt, he loved being here between the ropes.”
Scheffler called Murray a “sweet man” more than once, and he cried as he walked away from the stage and then buried his head in his wife’s shoulder.
Murray’s death was a shock to those on the PGA Tour. He was a prodigious talent as a junior, winning the Barbasol Championship in Kentucky as a rookie even as he struggled with alcoholism and anxiety.
Monahan had worked with Murray off the course. This week marks one year since the PGA Tour struck a deal with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf. Murray took center stage at a players meeting that afternoon, criticizing Monahan for making the deal without informing the players. Monahan temporarily resigned from his duties a week later due to anxiety-induced physical and mental issues. During his absence, Monahan turned off his phone for a month.
“We had a players meeting in Canada that you all know was intense and heated. Grayson and others have been very vocal about their displeasure with my decision to retain membership. The criticism was 100% justified,” Monahan said on Tuesday.
He said when he finally turned his phone back on while on leave, one of the first text messages he saw was from Murray.
“One line in that text will always stick with me: ‘Jay, I just want you to get healthy. I know every effort is being made to benefit our tour,” Monahan said. “He did not express condemnation, but compassion. Instead of walking away from me, he offered to walk with me. I will always be grateful for this act of kindness, and I am not alone.”
Monahan said similar stories were shared Monday during a private service for Murray and his family.
“I can only assure that Grayson’s memory will serve as a constant reminder that the PGA Tour is a brotherhood that transcends competition,” Monahan said. “And our most important responsibility is to care for each other and be kind. I can’t imagine a prouder legacy.”