Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, found dead at age 30

Grayson Murray, the two-time PGA Tour winner, has died at the age of 30 after withdrawing from the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on Friday.

The 30-year-old said he was ill when he arrived at the hotel after 16 holes of the PGA Tour event in Texas. The American was found dead on Saturday morning.

“We were devastated to learn – and heartbroken – that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “I am at a loss for words.”

The tour decided not to cancel the rest of the event at the famous Colonial course. Murray, ranked 58th in the world, was among the leaders when he shot a first-round 68 but struggled to make the cut when he withdrew.

“The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a family member, you are never the same,” Monahan added. “We mourn the loss of Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones. I have contacted Grayson’s parents to express our deepest condolences, and during that conversation they asked us to continue with tournament play. They insisted that this is what Grayson would have wanted us to do. As difficult as it will be, we want to respect their wishes.”

Murray has been a controversial figure. Having struggled with anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse throughout his young career, as well as ongoing social media issues, he admitted he was unprepared for the professional tours.

Grayson’s temper was notorious, and that reputation was not helped when he told Rory McIlroy to “fuck off” during a heated players’ meeting last year over the proposed merger of the PGA Tour with the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League.

But after getting engaged to Christina Ritchie in 2023 and “rediscovering his faith,” Murray was hailed as having turned his life and career around. Victory in Hawaii in January – seven years after his first win – seemed to have given his career a new lease of life.

Murray made the cut in the first two majors this season, finishing tied for 43rd at the USPGA last Sunday, and qualified for the US Open, which takes place in three weeks in Pinehurst, just an hour from his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, and the Open in Troon in July.

Murray’s connections were understandably shocked and confused. “We will withhold comment until we learn more details, but our hearts ache for his family, friends and all who loved him during this very difficult time,” his management company GSE said.