The USGA paid tribute to the late Grayson Murray on Tuesday ahead of this year’s U.S. Open in Pinehurst, N.C., weeks after the golfer’s tragic passing.
Murray, a Raleigh native, was memorialized with a plaque inside the locker room that read, “The USGA remembers Grayson and pays tribute to the playing accomplishments that merited his place in the 124th U.S. Open Championship,” according to a post shared on social media.
The message concluded, “Be kind to one another.”
Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, died by suicide in late May at the age of 30.
One day before his death was announced, Murray withdrew from the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, due to illness.
Murray’s parents, Eric and Terry Murray, confirmed in a statement that their son “took his own life.”
“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,” the statement read.
“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. He was loved and he will be missed.
“We would like to thank the PGA TOUR and the entire world of golf for the outpouring of support. Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now.”
Murray, who spoke candidly about his battles with depression and alcoholism, said in January following his Sony Open win he had been sober for eight months.
His death stunned the golf community, with several of his PGA Tour peers, including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, paying tribute.
Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, broke down in tears during a recent gathering commemorating Murray’s life.
The two-time Masters champion described Murray as a “sweet man,” according to The Guardian.
Scheffler will be in the field for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, which begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
