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HONOLULU — The Sony Open turned festive Tuesday morning as dozens of players, caddies and PGA Tour officials joined Greyson Murray’s family along the shoreline behind the 16th green at Waialae to honor the defending champion who took his own life four months later.
Murray won the Sony Open last year by birdieing the 18th hole to win a 40-foot playoff.
A celebration of his life was held a day after the PGA Tour announced the launch Grayson Murray Foundation which is aimed at raising awareness and supporting mental health and addiction.
“Grayson touched the hearts of many by sharing his mental health issues,” his parents, Eric and Terry Murray, said in a statement. “He has used his platform as a multiple PGA Tour champion to reach out and inspire those in need – and we are determined to continue his generosity and unwavering commitment to help change the lives of others.”
His father twice refused to speak as he fought back tears during the ceremony led by Corbett Kalama, president of the Friends of Hawaii charity who shared a Hawaiian prayer as the sun rose over the waters.
Eric Murray eventually encouraged Murray’s friends to remember his son’s passion.
“Through the foundation, we want to keep that passion alive,” he said.
Kalama invited the family – Murray’s parents, brother and sister and caddy Jay Green – into the water to throw white orchid petals into the ocean. About three dozen players, caddies, officials and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan lined up next to them. Monahan folded his blue jacket over his arms as he stood barefoot in the sand.
Peter Malnati played Murray at the Colonial in May and alerted officials that something was wrong when Murray retired during the second round. Murray took his own life at his Florida home a day later on May 25.
Murray was a raw talent after taking up golf at the age of 8. He won his age category three years in a row at the prestigious Junior World Championships in San Diego. But he struggled to fit in in college, going to Wake Forest, East Carolina and then Arizona.
He always spoke his mind, even about his struggles. But he announced that he had been sober for eight months when he won the Sony Open.
“It’s not easy,” Murray said after the win in Hawaii. “I wanted to give up many times. Give up on yourself. Give up the game of golf. Give up on life, sometimes.”
Webb Simpson was among those close to Murray, having first seen him as a boy when they worked with the same coach, Ted Kiegel, in North Carolina.
“I can only imagine how hard it is to lose a child,” Simpson said. “I hope I can see how celebrated he was. It was a great outpouring of support. I miss him.”
The president of Murray’s foundation is Jeff Maness, who said it was a result of Murray’s desire to help others in need.
“While Grayson bravely faced his experiences with depression and addiction, he witnessed firsthand the challenges that greet those seeking help, both financially and from an accessibility standpoint,” Maness said. “Grayson intended to use his position as a PGA Tour player to help others. … We honor him as we continue his mission.”
Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach someone on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat via 988lifeline.org.
