Hi my name is Cullen Murray, Golf has been a part of my life forever. One of the most underrated aspects of this insanely difficult sport is the mental focus and strength. Golf is so different because it’s just as frustrating for the average person as it is for the best player in the world, although pros go through some different scenarios. From public scrutiny to plain underperforming, The highs are high and the lows are low. As this is becoming a bigger issue pro golfer are beginning to speak up and come out about their struggles. On Mind over Matter, Im looking forward to informing you and talking about mental health advocates in the game of golf and golfers who struggled with mental health on the course.
May 12 2025 – Grayson Murray
With the first post of Mind over Matter, Being that May is Mental Health Awareness month, I think it’s only right to talk about Grayson Murray and his story. Grayson was a PGA Tour member, he had won two tournaments in his young career, The Barbasol Championship in 2017 and The Sony Open in 2024.
Grayson was humble, always spoke kind words, he cared for others and would always love answering questions to younger players.
He was intense, his longtime friend said that his sobriety had found a way of using his intenseness to bring others closer instead of pushing them away.
Although Grayson was a very talented golfer and a great person, He was battling behind closed doors. In 2021 he attended rehab to fight his alcohol dependency and get help with his anxiety and depression. Everything was looking better, Grayson had gotten engaged in December of 2023 to his future wife, Christiana Ritchie. Christina was a new spark in Graysons life bringing him joy like he hadn’t felt before.
It was May 23 2024, the first day of The Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. After the second round of the tournament Grayson withdrew, citing illness.
That following day Grayson took his own life.
The golf world was in shock. No one had really understood the battles Grayson was fighting behind closed doors besides those closest to him. There was an immediate outcry of support for Grayson’s family, friends and fiance. The day after his passing, everyone playing in the tournament wore a red and black ribbon to honor Grayson. Grayson would wear black and red often as he was a huge fan of the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL.
His parents started the Grayson Murray Foundation which is dedicated to raise awareness and support for mental health and addiction.
His family later released their mission statement.
“To raise awareness of mental health and addiction challenges faced by individuals from all walks of life, while advancing innovative services and research.”
