Rory McIlroy believes the death of two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray has highlighted how “vulnerable and fragile” top sports stars can be.
Murray withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge last week with two holes left in Friday's second round and was found at a residence in Palm Beach Gardens around 11 a.m. Saturday, according to local police.
In a statement released on Sunday, his parents said Murray took his own life.
The 30-year-old has been open about her battles with anxiety and depression and revealed in January that she had sought treatment a few years ago for binge drinking, but had been drinking for several months.
“It's incredibly sad, first and foremost, and I think we're all thinking about Grayson's family and hoping they're doing well and getting through this incredibly difficult time,” McIlroy said ahead of the RBC Canadian Open.
“It's a cliche, but it puts everything into perspective. At the end of the day golf is golf and, yes, we play it for a living, but it is nothing compared to the important things in life.
“I've had to realize that sometimes and I'm still working on that about not making golf my everything. I think it's a slap in the face when something like that happened last week.
“It's incredibly painful and everyone has to remember out there that we go out and do things that most people can't, but at the end of the day we're human and we're vulnerable and we're vulnerable. fragile, and I think if there's a lesson for anyone out there it's just to be kind to each other.”
After winning the Players Championship in March, McIlroy had overcome a number of other opportunities and was determined to win, but joked that he was still upset about not shooting 59 in the final round.
“I've played in the last couple of tournaments and I haven't done the work,” McIlroy said.
“I remember going out that day just thinking about being as aggressive as possible. Thankfully, it started very well and continued until the 59 type of equation entered the middle of the back 9.
“When I made the eagle at 17, I knew I needed to make one last shot to shoot 59, and I hit the five iron in the bunker and ended up making bogey, I had to remind myself when I went in to look happy, because I had just won the tournament.
“But I was disappointed that I didn't shoot 59. Not that I'm still thinking about it.”
McIlroy finished ninth last year when Nick Taylor became the first Canadian to win a national Open since 1954 with a 72-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole to deny Tommy Fleetwood his first PGA Tour title.
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