When Grayson Murray registered his first PGA Tour win in seven years at the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii, people knew him more as the errant guy who liked throwing clubs in frustration than as a gentle, sweet guy who’d go to any length to ensure comfort for others. Months after he passed away after taking his own life, his inner circle shared a never-before-heard story with the world: Murray was visiting a children’s hospital when he learned that a young patient’s family had been commuting by bus for their weekly appointments. Without hesitation, he bought them a car on the spot. Grayson Murray was filled with love and kindness—sadly, he couldn’t extend the same grace to himself.
At the age of 30, in May 2024, the young rising star took his own life. Early in his life, doctors diagnosed Grayson Murray with social anxiety, which led to his fear of possibly embarrassing himself in front of a world that knew him only from a distance. Is that an excuse for his errant behavior? No. But that serves as a reminder of what Grayson Murray was going through alone, often leading him to say, “I don’t think anyone can help me.”
Recently, Jeff Maness, a Raleigh C.C. member, sat down for an interview on 5 Clubs to discuss the best of knowing Grayson Murray since the golfer was 15. Jeff Maness shared the one stand-out moment that really touched him. The moment comes from Grayson Murray losing his Tour card and regaining it after winning two Korn Ferry Tour events in 2023. “He walked into the house, and this is a point to his generosity, the kind of person he was. He walked in with this letter and put it on the table, saying, “I don’t want this; you can have it.” I was like, “Well, what is it?”
“So I got up and went over to look at it, and it’s a letter from Jay Monahan that said, “You’ve earned the right to come back to the PGA Tour from these wins,” congratulating him on it. For the 2024 season, you basically earned your card back. I’m like, “Grayson, holy cow, wow! What do you mean you don’t want this?” He said, “Well, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my friends, and I want you to have it.”
Jeff Maness is a close friend of the Murrays and sponsored Murray on the Tour. Maness agreed that Murray had his moments of irritability; however, that one moment was one of the many moments “that was touching. I mean, that shows you a little bit of the generosity that was inside this guy.” Grayson Murray exuded love and compassion, which goes without saying.
One story highlights Grayson Murray’s habit of hoarding clubs. He kept all the free gear from sponsors and tournaments, leading friends to think he was a hoarder, but they later discovered he was giving those items to high school students in need. Despite trying to hide his depression and often staying glued to his phone, he sent encouraging messages to those at the Betty Ford Clinic, saying, “I know it’s not easy. Keep going. You’re not alone.” Now, Grayson Murray’s legacy lives on in the golf world—loud and proud.
Grayson Murray’s legacy lives on with the Grayson Murray Foundation
Grayson Murray always remained transparent about his struggles with alcoholism and depression. He urged the PGA Tour to enhance its mental health services and offer greater support for those in need. Talking about his openness regarding the same, Jeff Maness said early this year, “He was very open about his struggles. It’s really interesting with mental health. It’s an invisible disease. When it’s turned off, if you will, or dormant in the body it’s amazing the energy it can create. When you have a disease that’s turned on, it’s very difficult.”
The first step to ensure a better environment for struggling individuals came with the Grayson Murray Foundation. Launched in January 2025, the Grayson Murray Foundation focuses on raising awareness and providing support for mental health and addiction issues affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds. The Foundation aims to make a significant impact on mental health and addiction care by funding innovative research, improving access to essential services, and promoting a culture of understanding, all inspired by Murray’s legacy of compassion, resilience, and hope.
Eric and Terry Murray founded the Foundation following the tragic loss of their son, Grayson. Grayson envisioned establishing a foundation aimed at “helping the ones that want to be helped but might not have the help they need financially.”1
Just this month, the Grayson Murray Foundation announced its first official partnership with the Ben Hogan Foundation. This collaboration aims to support individuals affected by mental health challenges and includes a $20,000 donation to The Ben Hogan Resilience Program, which provides mental health support, academic resources, and job training for children who have lost a parent to suicide.
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