Davis Riley pays tribute to Grayson Murray with heartbreaking and brutal warning to family
Davis Riley won the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday, May 26. Following the win, the 27-year-old paid tribute to compatriot Grayson Murray, who died by suicide on Saturday, May 25. Despite his win, Riley dubbed it a “super sad day.”
Murray withdrew from the competition on Friday citing illness. Later, the PGA Tour announced the golfer’s passing at 30, with his parents confirming it in a statement.
Riley sent his condolences to Murray’s family. He noted there was “definitely a little extra to play for” at the tournament overshadowed by the untimely death of the PGA Tour star.
Davis Riley told the CBS broadcast after his Charles Schwab Challenge win:
“A super sad day in the golf world but my heart just goes out to him and his family. There was definitely a little extra to play for today… A sad day, and I have a heavy heart for his family.”
With this, Riley joined a long list of golfers who expressed sorrow in Murray’s family. Notably, golfers and caddies wore red and black ribbons (colors of Murray’s hometown ice hockey side the Carolina Hurricanes), to honor the late player.
For the unversed, Riley carded a fourth round of 70 to finish on 14 under in Texas. The rookie golfer claimed his PGA Tour career’s second win and first individual title by beating Scottie Scheffler.
Grayson Murray’s parents say golfer ‘took his own life’
The PGA Tour announced Grayson Murray had died at the age of 30 on Sunday. Following this, Murray’s parents confirmed the two-time Tour winner “took his own life.”
Grayson Murray’s parents Eric and Terry Murray said in a statement:
“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.”
Furthermore, Grayson’s parents lauded his career and thanked “the PGA Tour and the entire world of golf” for their support. It is pertinent to note that Murray had admitted to suffering from mental health issues after joining the Tour. In 2021, he revealed to have been receiving alcoholism treatment.
For the unversed, Grayson Murray rose to fame as a youngster at the Junior World Championships from 2006-08. He was a standout player for three consecutive seasons. He made his PGA Tour debut in the 2016-17 season at 22. Riley won his first title in the 2017 Barbasol Championship.
The late golfer clinched his second at the Sony Open in Hawaii at the start of this year. The win took him to a career-high OWGR ranking of No.46. However, he managed to crack the top-10 only once again at the Wells Fargo Championship.