04 June 2024 , 19:05
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Several PGA Tour players, alongside commissioner Jay Monahan, privately gathered on Tuesday morning to remember the late Grayson Murray.
At this week's Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, a sombre gathering was held to honour Murray's memory. The ceremony occurred in a serene garden area at Muirfield Village and featured his golf bag and a large framed photograph as a tribute. Murray's parents, siblings, and fiancee were absent from the close-knit and private PGA event. Murray died by taking his own life on May 25, a day after withdrawing from the Charles Schwab Challenge.
"A line in that text will always stay with me: 'Jay I just want you to get healthy. I know everything is going to work out for our tour and for the better," said Monahan. "He offered not condemnation but compassion. Instead of walking away from me, he offered to walk with me. I'll always be thankful for this act of kindness, and I'm not alone."
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Masters champion Scottie Scheffler took a heartfelt moment during the build up to the Memorial to honour Murray. The world's No. 1 ranked player spoke about Murray's kindness and his efforts to include his fiancee with other players' wives, underscoring the camaraderie Murray brought to the tour.
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"The look on his face when I gave him $100 on the ninth green is something I'll remember for a long time because you couldn't wipe that smile off his face," Scheffler said. "Without a doubt, he loved being out here inside the ropes."
Murray's death profoundly impacted his long-time coach, Ted Kiegiel, who had mentored him for over 15 years. Although it was not confirmed if Kiegiel attended the private memorial, he expressed his condolences and support for the Murray family on social media immediately after hearing the news.
Grayson Murray after winning the 2024 Sony Open (Getty Images)“I’m absolutely numb and crushed for the loss of Grayson. He was family,” wrote Kiegiel on X. "He was more than family. We were kindred spirits — sharing so many victorious ‘life’ moments, while suffering through the down turns that challenged his very essence.” The bond between coach and student was strong, and Kiegiel's tribute highlighted the depth of their relationship and the sorrow those who knew Murray well felt.
Murray's official cause of death was confirmed as carbon monoxide poisoning. The 30-year-old golfer lived in his Florida home with his fiancee, Christiana Ritchie, and was open about his struggles with alcohol and mental health before passing.
Following his passing, Murray's parents chose to be transparent, releasing a statement that did not conceal any details from golf fans. This transparency highlighted the family's desire to bring attention to Murray's challenges while still honouring his memory and potentially providing comfort or understanding to others dealing with similar issues.
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