Jackson Reid
Sadly, many golfers have died over the years, including Grayson Murray, who died by suicide at the age of 30 in May 2024. Murray won two PGA tournaments, including the Sony Hawaii Open in January 2024. Another golfer who died was Juan Chi Chi Rodriguez, who passed away at the age of 88 in August 2024. Rodriguez was a Hall of Fame golfer known for his antics on the greens and inspiring life story. Payne Stewart was another golfer who died in an airplane accident at the age of 42 in 1999.
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What You'll Learn
- Grayson Murray, a 30-year-old PGA golfer, died by suicide
- Juan 'Chi Chi' Rodriguez, a Hall of Fame golfer, died aged 88
- Payne Stewart, an American golfer, died in a plane crash aged 42
- The death of Grayson Murray highlights the importance of mental health awareness
- Grayson Murray withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge before his death
Grayson Murray, a 30-year-old PGA golfer, died by suicide
Murray had been open about his struggles with mental health, alcoholism, anxiety, and depression. He had checked into rehab in 2021 for alcohol abuse and had sought help for his anxiety and depression. The golfer's parents, Eric and Terry Murray, confirmed their son's cause of death on Sunday morning, stating that they were devastated and that their son had taken his own life.
In the days leading up to his death, Murray had withdrawn from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, citing illness. His death shocked the golfing world, with many paying tribute, including his caddie, Jay Green, who spoke of Murray's generosity and friendship.
The PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, released a statement expressing heartbreak and mourning over Murray's death, emphasizing the PGA Tour as a family that had lost a member. Murray's parents also spoke publicly about their son's death nine months later, sharing memories and their plans to continue his legacy. Grayson Murray's tragic death highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and supporting those struggling with their inner demons.
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Juan 'Chi Chi' Rodriguez, a Hall of Fame golfer, died aged 88
Juan 'Chi Chi' Rodriguez, a Hall of Fame golfer, dies aged 88
The golfing world lost one of its most colourful characters with the death of Juan 'Chi Chi' Rodriguez, who passed away aged 88 in February 2025. Rodriguez was a Puerto Rican golfer who rose to prominence despite humble beginnings, becoming one of the sport's most popular players during his long career.
Rodriguez was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and learned to play golf by hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick. He showed early promise, claiming he could shoot a 67 by the age of 12. After working as a caddie, he served in the US Army from 1955 to 1957 before joining the PGA Tour in 1960. He went on to win eight times during his 21-year career, including the Denver Open in 1963 and the Tallahassee Open in 1979. He also played on one Ryder Cup team. From 1985 to 2002, he had 22 victories on the Champions Tour, with total career earnings of over $7.6 million.
Rodriguez was known for his antics on the greens, as well as his inspiring life story. He was the first person from Puerto Rico to join the PGA Tour, achieving a feat that many thought was impossible. His talent and vibrant personality made him a beloved figure both on and off the golf course. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan highlighted his passion for charity and outreach, stating that "he will be missed dearly by the PGA Tour and those whose lives he touched."
Rodriguez's death was announced by Carmelo Javier Ríos, a senator in his native Puerto Rico. The cause of death was not disclosed. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Iwalani, and his wife's daughter from a previous marriage, Donnette.
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Payne Stewart, an American golfer, died in a plane crash aged 42
William Payne Stewart was an American professional golfer who died in a plane crash on October 25, 1999, at the age of 42. He was a popular golfer with spectators, known for his distinctive clothing, including his flamboyant attire of ivy caps and patterned pants.
Stewart was born on January 30, 1957, and gained his first major title at the 1989 PGA Championship. He went on to win 11 PGA Tour events, including three major championships. His second tournament victory of 1990 at the GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic helped him reach his Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) peak of number 3 in the summer of that year. Overall, he spent nearly 250 weeks within the top 10 of the OWGR between 1986 and 1999.
Stewart was also a musician and played the harmonica in the blues-rock group Jake Trout and the Flounders, which included fellow golfers Larry Rinker and Peter Jacobsen. The band released an album called "I Love to Play" in 1998, with the title track parodying Randy Newman's "I Love L.A.".
On the day of his death, Stewart was flying from his home in Orlando, Florida, to Texas for the year-ending tournament, The Tour Championship, held at Champions Golf Club in Houston. The plane, a Learjet, crashed, and Stewart and everyone else on board were killed. A memorial service for Stewart was held at the First Baptist Church of Orlando on October 30, with speakers including his widow, Tracey Stewart, and fellow professional golfer Paul Azinger.
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The death of Grayson Murray highlights the importance of mental health awareness
The death of Grayson Murray, a 30-year-old professional golfer, has brought to light the importance of addressing mental health issues. Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, died by suicide, leaving the golf world shocked and saddened. His death highlights the need for increased mental health awareness and support within the golfing community and beyond.
Murray had been open about his struggles with mental health and excessive alcohol use. He had withdrawn from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas, just a day before his death, citing illness. His death has prompted calls for more mental health professionals, increased funding, and better access to support services. It serves as a stark reminder that mental illness does not discriminate and can affect anyone, even those who seem to have it all.
In a statement, Murray's parents, Eric and Terry Murray, expressed their devastation at losing their son. They shared their grief and acknowledged the outpouring of support they had received from the PGA Tour and the golf world. Murray's caddie, Jay Green, also paid tribute to him, describing him as an "incredible, thoughtful, and generous" friend and boss.
Murray's death underscores the urgency of addressing mental health issues and ensuring that individuals have access to the resources they need. It is a reminder that success and talent do not make one immune to mental health struggles. The tragedy of his death highlights the importance of early intervention and support, as well as the need to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, so that those suffering feel empowered to seek help.
The golfing community and beyond are encouraged to use Murray's death as a catalyst for change, to advocate for increased mental health awareness and resources, and to prioritize the well-being of individuals. By doing so, we can honor Murray's memory and hopefully prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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Grayson Murray withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge before his death
Grayson Murray, a 30-year-old professional golfer, passed away on Saturday morning, the 25th of May 2024. The PGA Tour player was a two-time winner of the PGA Tour, including the Sony Hawaii Open in January 2024. Murray had withdrawn from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, a day before his death, citing an illness.
Murray had a successful career in golf, with 10 top-10 finishes in 141 career PGA Tour starts. He turned pro in 2015 and won his first PGA Tour title with the Barbasol Championship in 2017, his rookie year. However, his game struggled in the following seasons. In recent years, Murray had openly spoken about his mental health struggles, excessive alcohol use, and road to recovery. He attributed his faith and fiancée as helping him through this difficult period.
The PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, released a statement expressing devastation and heartbreak at Murray's passing. Monahan described the PGA Tour as a family and acknowledged the profound loss felt by Grayson's loved ones. He also mentioned reaching out to Grayson's parents to offer condolences and respect their wishes to continue with the tournament as scheduled, honouring their son's memory.
The golf world was shaken by Murray's death, and fans took to social media to express their condolences and reflect on his final moments. Many acknowledged the struggles of mental health and the importance of seeking help. Grayson's parents also released a statement, expressing their grief and thanking the PGA Tour and the golf world for their support. They confirmed that their son had died by suicide and asked for privacy during this difficult time.
The tragic loss of Grayson Murray highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support when needed. His courage in speaking out about his own struggles has left a lasting impact on the golfing community and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Grayson Murray, a PGA Tour golfer, died by suicide at the age of 30.
Grayson Murray was a two-time PGA Tour winner. He won his first PGA Tour title with the Barbasol Championship in 2017, his rookie year. He also won the Sony Hawaii Open in January 2024.
Grayson Murray died by suicide. He had previously spoken about his struggles with mental health and alcohol abuse.
Juan "Chi Chi" Rodriguez, a Hall of Fame golfer, died at the age of 88.
