Golfer Peter Malnati broke down in tears Saturday as he spoke about the sudden death of Grayson Murray after playing the first two rounds with his late rival at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth.
“Losing him is really hard,” an overwhelmed Malnati told CBS Sports. ‘I didn’t even know Grayson very well, but I spent the last two days with him. And we worry so much about a bad breakup here or a good breakup there…’
Malnati stopped at that moment as he began to cry.
“We’re very competitive here,” he continued after composing himself. ‘We all want to beat each other. And then something like this happens and you realize we’re 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 has visibly struggled in the past and was open about it and you see him get his life back to a place where he feels good.” About things. It’s so sad.’
Peter Malnati broke down in tears while speaking about the sudden passing of Grayson Murray.
The world number 58 appears alongside his fiancée, Christiana, in a post from earlier this year.
Murray’s death was announced by the PGA Tour on Saturday, 24 hours after he withdrew toward the end of his second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas. He had told his playmates that he was not feeling well.
No cause of death has been released and Commissioner Jay Monahan was left “speechless.”
“We were devastated to learn, and heartbroken to share, that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning,” Monahan said of the world No. 58.
‘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.”
Last month, Murray’s fiancée, Christiana, caddied for him during the Par 3 contest before the Masters. The couple was reportedly due to marry in spring 2024. She had previously spoken out about her struggles with alcohol and his mental health.
“My parents have been through hell and back for basically the last six years with me, battling some mental issues,” he once revealed.
‘It’s not easy for me or for the people who love me and surround me. They don’t like to see me down and they have been my number one supporters and they all have their battles.
‘Sometimes people can hide them and it works and sometimes you can’t. “I think our society is getting better now in terms of accepting that it’s okay to not be okay.”
And he added: ‘I am not ashamed of going through depression and anxiety. “I know I’ve helped people in the past just through my direct messages on social media (people message me) and I can use my platform to continue helping with things like that.”
The PGA Tour has announced the tragic death of Grayson Murray at age 30
Christiana caddied for Murray during the par-3 contest before this year’s Masters at Augusta.
At the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, when he won his second PGA Tour title, the North Carolina native 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 in a couple of times and 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.
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 (Green), 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.”
Murray’s caddie, Jay Green, issued a heartbreaking statement after his death was confirmed.
Murray flanked by NBA legends Andre Iguodala (left) and Stephen Curry (right)
Green issued a heartbreaking statement shortly after Murray’s death was confirmed. ‘Grayson was the absolute best. “Not only was he an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss, but he was even a best friend,” he stated.
‘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.”
Earlier this week, Murray shot a two-under 68 in his first round, but was five up in his second round when he withdrew from the tournament.
Play continued at Colonial on Saturday, even after the devastating news, with Monahan revealing: “I reached out to 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 it. As difficult as it may be, we want to respect his wishes.
‘The PGA Tour has grief counselors available at both tournament sites (this week’s PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour events), as well as virtually for those not on the course. I’m on my way to Ft. Worth and we’ll share more information when we can.’
He has the best family and my heart goes out to them. “He will be deeply missed by all,” Green said.
Murray was a bright prospect, winning three consecutive Callaway World Junior Championships between 2006 and 2008. He made his first cut on the Korn Ferry Tour at just 16 years old and was the top-ranked golfer in his age group.
He then turned professional in 2015 before winning twice on the PGA Tour. Murray won his first title in 2017 at the Barbasol Championship, when he was only 24 years old. His second and last title came in January in Hawaii.
Murray tied for 43rd at last week’s PGA Championship and finished the 2024 Masters in 51st place.
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald also paid tribute to Murray, writing on social media on Saturday: “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 may find some peace.’
