Grayson Murray

 

Grayson Murray won in Hawaii in January
(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Sadly, it seemed like the answer was going to be the worst.

Thirty years old.

Admitted he had issues with alcohol and depression.

The pieces, sadly, added up for two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray.

Murray withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge on Friday after playing 16 holes in the second round.

He said he didn't feel well.

On Saturday, he was dead at the age of 30. 

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monaghan announced Murray's death, adding that his parents asked for the tournament in Fort Worth to continue.

Sadly, the outcome appeared obvious and, eventually, Murray's parents released a statement via the PGA Tour.

Statement on behalf of Eric and Terry Murray:

We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone. 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.

Thank you.

It's the worst possible nightmare. I've learned far more about Grayson Murray over the past 24 hours.

He had demons. A temper. The drinking issue. He had been in rehab. He had stopped drinking. He had made progress.

He had won his first PGA Tour event in six years when he took the Sony Open in Hawaii. From a high level, it felt like things were on the right path.

But you just never know.

And then this weekend happened.

And now he's gone.

And there are always those questions. Questions and thoughts.

"If I had done more..."

"If I had reached out..."

"If I hadn't left him alone..."

If...if...if...

None of it makes sense. Ever.

Sadly, these stories come up on occasion. 

Sadly, we write about them. We talk about them.

And we repeat the same thing every time.

Look out for each other. Encourage help wherever possible.

Remember that one can call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.

Mental health support needs to be affordable and available.

It also needs to be destigmatized. It's OK to seek help.

So many deal with the thoughts of hopelessness. Of sleepless nights when feeling like all is lost. There's just no purpose to go on. The money issues. Loss of ... something. Desperation.

So many of us often have that feeling of wanting to run and hide.

Or worse.

But it's who is left behind that suffers.

My heart hurts for Grayson Murray's parents, siblings, extended family, and loved ones. 

And for the hockey community. I've seen the tweets. The interviews. The commentaries.

They're gutwrenching.

Seek help if you're hurting.

Please.

And be kind to each other.