"It’s a nightmare": Star golfer's cause of death revealed
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray has died at the age of 30.
Golf officials announced his death on Sunday morning, with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan releasing a statement.
“We were devastated to learn — and are heartbroken to share — that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning,” Monahan said.
“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"
Murray's parents later confirmed that their son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge - a PGA Tour event - due to illness.
“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone,” his parents, Eric and Terry Murray said in a statement.
“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.
“Life wasn't always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now.”
They have also asked for privacy and for people to honour Murray by being kind to one another.
Murray has previously been open about his battle with depression and alcoholism, according to The NY Post.
He talked about turning the corner in his life and being eight months sober, after winning the Sony Open in Honolulu in January.
“It's not easy,” Murray said immediately after winning. "I wanted to give up a lot of times. Give up on myself. Give up on the game of golf. Give up on life, at times.”
Murray tied for 43rd last week in the PGA Championship, which earned him a spot in the US Open next month at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.
The PGA Tour commissioner said he spoke with Murray's parents about halting play, but they insisted the golf tournament to continue.
“We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones. I reached out to Grayson’s parents to offer our deepest condolences, and during that conversation, they asked that we continue with tournament play. They were adamant that Grayson would want us to do so," he said.
Monahan flew to Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday to be with players, and many of them wore black-and-red pins on their caps - the colours of the Carolina Hurricanes, Grayson's favourite NHL team - to honour the golfer.
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