Grayson Murray’s parents say professional golfer took his own life

PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murray took his own life, his family confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

The 30-year-old’s death was announced on Saturday, a day after he had withdrawn from the Charles Schwab Challenge.

“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,” Murray’s parents, Eric and Terry, said in the statement.

Related: Professional golfer Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dies aged 30

“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 had spoken about his struggles with alcohol and mental health. After winning the Sony Open in January he talked about his problems away from the golf course.

“It’s not easy,” he said. “I wanted to give up a lot of times. Give up on myself. Give up on the game of golf. Give up on life, at times.”

As well as his victory at the Sony Open, Murray won the Barbasol Championship in 2017. His best finish in a major was a tie for 22nd at the 2017 US PGA Championship. He also won three events on the Korn Ferry Tour and was ranked No 58 in the world at the time of his death.

On Saturday, Murray’s fellow professionals expressed their grief at his death.

“Truly devastating news that Grayson Murray has passed away,” the former world No 1, Luke Donald, wrote on X. “He asked me for some advice on how to play Augusta a few months ago, last week I saw him at the PGA Championship, life truly is precious. My condolences and prayers to his whole family that they may find some peace.”

Webb Simpson said he learned of Murray’s death just before he teed off at the Charles Schwab Challenge. “I just hate it so much,” Simpson said. “I’ll miss him. I’m thankful he was in the place with his faith before this morning happened.”

The PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, said grief counsellors would be available for players at tournaments in the coming days.

“To be in the locker room, to see the devastation on the faces of every player that’s coming in, it’s really difficult to see. And really just profound,” Monahan told CBS on Saturday. “Grayson was a remarkable player on the PGA Tour, but he was a very courageous man, as well. And I’ve always loved that about him, and I know that the locker room is filled with people that really will take that away when they think about Grayson.”

In January, Murray said he had been sober for eight months, had become a Christian and was engaged. He said he believed his best golf was ahead of him. He had recently been appointed as a member of the 16-person Player Advisory Council.

• In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org