Remembering Golf's Fallen Legends

Several PGA golfers have died, including Grayson Murray, who died by suicide in May 2024 at the age of 30. Murray won two PGA tournaments, including the Sony Open in Hawaii in 2024. He was open about his struggles with alcoholism and depression. Another PGA golfer who died was Payne Stewart, who died in an airplane accident in 1999 at the age of 42. Stewart won 11 PGA Tour events, including three major championships.

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Grayson Murray died by suicide at 30

Grayson Murray, a 30-year-old professional golfer, died by suicide on May 25, 2024. Murray was a two-time PGA Tour winner, ranked No. 58 in the world. He had won the Sony Open in Hawaii in January 2024, his second PGA Tour victory, and previously won the Barbasol Championship in July 2017. He also won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour during the 2023 season, claiming the AdventHealth Championship and the Simmons Bank Open.

Murray had a decorated amateur career, winning three Junior World Championships and becoming the second-youngest golfer to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour at age 16. He played in the 2013 U.S. Open as an amateur and earned a PGA Tour card for the 2017 and 2024 seasons.

However, Murray struggled with alcoholism, anxiety, and depression. He had been open about his battles with mental health and alcohol abuse, and had reportedly been sober for several months before his death. His win in January was seen as a turnaround and a moment of redemption.

Murray was part of the field at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, when he died. He withdrew from the tournament on Friday, citing illness. The PGA Tour announced his death on Saturday morning, and many players competing at Colonial that Sunday honored Murray by wearing black-and-red pins on their caps, the colors of his favorite NHL team, the Carolina Hurricanes.

"We would like to thank the PGA Tour and the entire world of golf for the outpouring of support, " Murray's family said in a statement. "Life wasn't always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now."

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Murray won two PGA tournaments

Grayson Murray, the professional golfer who won two PGA Tour titles, died by suicide at the age of 30. Murray won his first PGA Tour tournament as a rookie at the Barbasol Championship in July 2017. He won his second PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January 2024.

Murray rose to 46th in the Official World Golf Ranking, a career-high, after a successful 40-foot putt to win the Sony Open in Hawaii. The event marked the height of a comeback run for Murray, who had struggled with his mental health and alcohol abuse in the years following his first PGA victory. In a news conference after winning the Sony Open, Murray revealed that he used to drink during tournament weeks. Despite these struggles, Murray was known for his talent and courage, with his fellow golfers honouring him after his passing.

Murray's amateur career was decorated, including three Junior World Championship victories and becoming the second-youngest golfer to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour at age 16. He played golf at Wake Forest University, East Carolina University, and Arizona State University before turning professional. Murray grew up in North Carolina and 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.

Murray's death was confirmed in a statement by the PGA Tour on behalf of his parents. His parents also released their own statement, expressing their grief and requesting privacy. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan also shared his condolences, stating that "the PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same."

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Payne Stewart died in an airplane accident aged 42

On October 25, 1999, American professional golfer Payne Stewart died in an airplane crash at the age of 42. Stewart had won 11 PGA Tour events, including three major championships, with his final major victory coming just months before his untimely death.

Stewart was one of six people on board the Learjet 35, which departed from Orlando, Florida, and was headed to a tournament in Houston, Texas. The other passengers were Stewart's agent, Robert Fraley; Bruce Borland, an architect with the Jack Nicklaus golf design company; Van Ardan, president of Leader Enterprises sports management agency; and the two pilots, Michael Kling and Stephanie Bellegarrigue.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation concluded that the aircraft failed to pressurize, and all on board were incapacitated by hypoxia as it passed over Gainesville, Florida. The plane continued on autopilot until it ran out of fuel and crashed near Mina, South Dakota. The impact site was on relatively flat ground, leaving a crater 42 feet long, 21 feet wide, and 8 feet deep.

The loss of Stewart was felt across the golfing world. He was known for his distinctive clothing, including his trademark plus-fours, and was a popular figure with spectators and fellow golfers alike. A bronze statue of Stewart was commissioned at Waterville Golf Links in Ireland, where he had often played, to pay tribute to his life and career.

Stewart won 11 PGA Tour events

PGA golfer Payne Stewart won 11 PGA Tour events, including three major championships. Stewart was an American professional golfer born on January 30, 1957, and died in 1999 in an airplane accident on October 25 at the age of 42.

Stewart gained his first major title at the 1989 PGA Championship. He won the 1991 U.S. Open after a playoff against Scott Simpson. At the 1999 U.S. Open, Stewart captured his third major title after holing a 15-foot par putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory.

Stewart was a popular golfer with spectators, who responded enthusiastically to his distinctive clothing. He was reputed to have the biggest wardrobe of all professional golfers and was a favorite of photographers because of his flamboyant attire of ivy caps and patterned pants.

Stewart was a golfing traditionalist, known for his quote, "In the United States, all we do is play the ball in the air." He had a particular affection for links golf and became a popular figure in Ireland after playing on Irish courses to warm up for The Open Championship.

Stewart's widow, Tracey, and their two children brought a lawsuit against Learjet, flight operator SunJet Aviation, Inc., and aircraft owner JetShares One Inc. following his death.

Grayson Murray's parents' statement

On May 25, 2024, 30-year-old PGA golfer Grayson Murray died by suicide. In a statement, his parents, Eric and Terry Murray, expressed their devastation and shared their struggle to come to terms with their son's death. They acknowledged the outpouring of support from the PGA Tour and the golf world and requested privacy as they grieved. They also highlighted Grayson's courageous battle with mental health issues and their belief that he now rests peacefully.

The full statement from Grayson Murray's parents, Eric and Terry Murray, reads as follows:

> "We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone. 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. Life wasn't always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now. 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. We would like to thank the PGA Tour and the entire world of golf for the outpouring of support. Please respect our privacy as we work through this incredible tragedy, and please honor Grayson by being kind to one another. If that becomes his legacy, we could ask for nothing else."

In the months following Grayson's passing, his parents, Eric and Terry Murray, spoke with the TODAY show's Carson Daly about their son's life and his struggles with mental health. They shared their anguish over his loss and their hopes to help others in his memory. Eric Murray revealed that Grayson had broken down during a visit, expressing the physical and emotional toll of his career. Eric had suggested that Grayson consider leaving the PGA Tour to focus on his health, but ultimately, Grayson's love for golf prevailed.

Grayson Murray's parents also shared their son's desire to help others facing mental health challenges. In a journal discovered after his passing, Grayson wrote about his wish to establish a foundation in his name to support those struggling with their mental health. The phrase "be kind to one another," which is inscribed on Grayson's gravestone plate, reflects his commitment to empathy and compassion.

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