Jackson Reid
Several American golfers have died, including PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murray, who died by suicide at the age of 30 in 2024. Another American golfer, William Payne Stewart, died in an airplane accident in 1999 at the age of 42. Arnold Daniel Palmer, an American professional golfer regarded as one of the greatest and most charismatic players in the sport's history, died in 2016 at the age of 87. Miller Barber, a golfer who competed on the PGA and Senior PGA tours, died of lymphoma at the age of 82 in 2013. In addition to these deaths, a Texan father-of-three, Spencer Loalbo, was killed by a lightning strike while playing golf in 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | William Payne Stewart |
| Profession | American professional golfer |
| Date of Death | October 25, 1999 |
| Age at Death | 42 |
| Cause of Death | Plane crash due to loss of cabin pressure |
| Other Notable American Golfers Who Died | Arnold Palmer, Miller Barber, Grayson Murray |
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What You'll Learn
Payne Stewart, 42, died in a plane crash
On October 25, 1999, 42-year-old American golfer Payne Stewart died in a plane crash. Stewart was on a Learjet 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 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation concluded that the aircraft failed to pressurize, causing all on board to become incapacitated by hypoxia as the plane passed to the west of Gainesville, Florida. The plane continued to climb past its assigned altitude, failing to make the westward turn toward Dallas over North Florida, and continued on its northwestern course, flying over the Southern and Midwestern United States for almost four hours and 1,500 miles (2,400 km). The plane eventually ran out of fuel and crashed in a field in South Dakota, after an uncontrolled descent, killing all six on board.
In addition to Stewart, the two pilots, Michael Kling and Stephanie Bellegarrigue, and three passengers died in the crash. The passengers included Stewart's agent and former Alabama football quarterback, Robert Fraley; the president of Leader Enterprises sports management agency, Van Ardan; and Bruce Borland, a golf architect with the Jack Nicklaus golf course design company.
The owner of the crash site, in consultation with the wives of Stewart and several other victims, created a memorial on about one acre of the site. A rock pulled from the site is inscribed with the names of the victims and a Bible passage. Stewart was posthumously inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.
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Grayson Murray, 30, took his own life
Grayson Murray, a 30-year-old professional golfer, died by suicide, his family announced. The two-time PGA Tour winner withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, a day before his death, citing an unspecified 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."
Murray, who grew up in North Carolina, was among the most talented junior golfers in the country. He won the prestigious Junior World Championship in San Diego three straight years and earned the Arnold Palmer Scholarship at Wake Forest. He had spoken openly about his struggles with depression, unhealthy alcohol use, and mental health issues, and how these fueled some of his lowest points in his professional career.
"Life wasn't always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now," his parents added in their statement. They thanked the PGA Tour and the golfing community for their support and asked for privacy. They also issued a plea: "Honor Grayson by being kind to one another. If that becomes his legacy, we could ask for nothing else."
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay 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. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones."
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Arnold Palmer, 87, died of natural causes
Arnold Palmer, the American golfer, died aged 87 of natural causes. He passed away on Sunday evening in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his daughters, Peggy and Amy, by his side. The cause of death was reported as complications from heart problems. He had been admitted to the hospital on the Thursday prior to his death and was scheduled for heart surgery the following Monday.
Palmer was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 1929, and grew up with a strong connection to the Latrobe Country Club, where his father worked as a golf professional and greenskeeper. He began playing golf at the age of four, using his first set of clubs cut down by his father. By the time he was 11, he was caddying at the club and working various jobs there in his later years. He went on to win the Pennsylvania state high-school golf championship twice and attended Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship.
Palmer embarked on a professional career in 1955 and achieved significant success in the world of golf. He was known for his unorthodox swing and aggressive approach, winning numerous events on the PGA Tour. He was the first golfer to win the Masters Tournament four times and the first to earn $1 million in tournament prize money. In addition to his athletic achievements, Palmer was also a successful businessman, involved in various enterprises, including automobile and aviation service firms, and was the president of Arnold Palmer Enterprises. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest and most charismatic players in the sport's history, with a vast following known as )"Arnie's Army".
The impact of Palmer's death was felt across the golfing world and beyond. Tiger Woods, whose children were born at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, spoke of Palmer's philanthropic work and his impact on the sport. Jack Nicklaus, a fellow golfer and friend, expressed deep emotion, stating, "My friend—many people’s friend—just wore out. I know he was in Pittsburgh trying to make himself better." Palmer's legacy continues to be celebrated, and he will be remembered as a true legend of the game.
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Miller Barber, 82, died of lymphoma
Miller Westford Barber Jr., an American professional golfer, died on June 11, 2013, at the age of 82. The cause of his death was lymphoma, as confirmed by his son Richard Barber.
Barber was born on March 31, 1931, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and grew up in Texarkana, Texas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1954 and turned professional in 1958, winning his first PGA Tour event in 1964. Over his career, he earned 11 PGA Tour wins but never won a major championship, despite coming close on several occasions.
Barber was known for his unorthodox swing, with his right elbow flying outward on his backswing. Despite his unusual form, he achieved significant success on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s and even greater success on the Senior PGA Tour in the 1980s, winning 24 events, including five majors.
Nicknamed "Mr. X," Barber played in nearly 1,300 tournaments overall and earned more than $5.6 million. He was a two-time Ryder Cup player and made his last competitive appearance in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, where he teamed up with Jim Ferree.
Miller Barber left a lasting legacy in the world of golf, remembered not only for his unique style but also for his talent, success, and enduring contribution to the sport.
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Ed Fiori, 72, died of cancer
Ed Fiori, the four-time PGA Tour winner, died of cancer at the age of 72. Fiori was a golfing icon, best known for defeating a 20-year-old Tiger Woods in the 1996 Quad City Classic (now the John Deere Classic).
Fiori was born in Lynwood, California, on April 21, 1953, and grew up in nearby Downey. He developed a passion for golf at a young age, often sneaking through a barbed wire fence to play at a local nine-hole course. This dedication to the sport continued into his college years, where he played for the University of Houston's golf team. In 1977, during his senior year, Fiori helped his team win the NCAA Championship, and he also won the Southwestern Conference individual medal.
After turning pro in 1977, Fiori joined the PGA Tour in 1978. His first major win came at the 1979 Southern Open, where he defeated future Hall of Famer Tom Weiskopf in a playoff. Fiori's other notable victories include the 1982 Bob Hope Desert Classic, where he beat Tom Kite, and the 1996 Quad City Classic, which was his final PGA Tour win. This victory prevented Tiger Woods from claiming his first PGA Tour title and marked the first of only four times that Woods would fail to win after holding the 54-hole lead.
Fiori's career included 583 PGA Tour events, with four wins, two runner-up finishes, five top-three finishes, and 38 top 10s. He was known for his grit and determination, characteristics that he also displayed in his battle with cancer. His impact on the sport was recognized by PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady, who described Fiori as "a true gentleman in our sport" and a "player who would often be referred to as a pro's pro."
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Frequently asked questions
William Payne Stewart, an American professional golfer who won 3 major championships, died in a plane crash on October 25, 1999, at the age of 42.
Arnold Daniel Palmer, an American professional golfer regarded as one of the greatest and most charismatic players in the sport's history, died on September 25, 2016, at the age of 87.
Grayson Murray, a PGA Tour golfer, died aged 30 in 2024. His parents said he took his own life.
