In the wake of the sudden death of golfer Grayson Murray at the age of 30, his caddie issued a statement.
According to the PGA Tour, Murray passed away Saturday morning after withdrawing from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas due to an unspecified illness.
Murray’s caddie, Jay Green, expressed his opinion about the man who had been a PGA Tour professional for eight years.
‘Grayson was the absolute best. Not only was he an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss, but he was even a best friend.
‘He really would do anything for anyone. He has the best family and my heart goes out to them. “We will all miss him deeply.”
Grayson Murray’s caddie, Jay Green (left), offered his condolences to his former boss.
Green (left) called him “an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss” and “an even better friend.”
A statement issued by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said: “We are devastated to learn, and heartbroken to share, that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words.
‘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 me to continue with the tournament. They were convinced that Grayson would want us to do so. As difficult as it may be, we want to respect his wishes.
‘The PGA Tour has grief counselors available at both tournament sites, as well as virtually for those not on the course. I’m on my way to Fort Worth and will share more information when we can.’
An excited Jim Nantz broke the news to a CBS audience before addressing the elephant in the room: the golf tournament viewers had tuned in to watch.
“I just want to say that the tour offered the family to stop playing, basically at the end of the hour,” Nantz explained. ‘The family, again, insisted that Grayson and the family want the tournament to continue.
“Grayson Murray gone too soon, at the age of 30. It’s a sad day on the PGA Tour and somehow, with a heavy heart, we will cover a golf tournament.”
Murray, a North Carolina native, won his second PGA Tour title in January at the Sony Open. He also finished in a tie for 43rd at last week’s PGA Championship and finished the 2024 Masters in 51st place.
Murray, an eight-year tour veteran, withdrew from this week’s tournament due to ‘illness’
This week, he shot 68 holes in the first round and then played 16 holes before withdrawing due to an unspecified illness.
Golfer Luke Donald offered his condolences on Twitter following the news.
‘Truly devastating news: the passing of Grayson Murray. He asked me for some advice on playing at Augusta a few months ago, I saw him at the PGA Championship last week, life really is precious.
“My deepest condolences and prayers to his entire family that they find some peace.”
At the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, when he won his second PGA Tour title, he gave a now-poignant interview about tough times off the course.
“My rookie year was 2017. I was young and I thought I was invincible and I wasn’t doing the right things off the field to really give myself the best chance to succeed here,” he said.
“Over the years, I’ve given up a few times and then just when I try to give up, someone gives me a little more inspiration and says, ‘Hey, you’ve got this, you can do it.’
“Those are the people close to me that I really lean on in the tough times and I have to keep going.” That’s the only way I know.
Murray, with his fiancée Christiana, after winning the Sony Open in Hawaii, his second PGA victory
He admitted there were “multiple low points,” adding: “I’ve obviously been open about alcohol use in the past and I’ve been sober for over eight months and I have a beautiful fiancée who I love very much, who supports me very much.” My parents and I support each other a lot.
‘My caddie, Jay, is one of my biggest cheerleaders. And he makes everything so easy when I come out here inside the ropes.
‘When everyone in my circle really supports me and is there for me when I have those tough days. And I still have difficult days, but now I feel much more at peace inside the ropes.”
