With a heartfelt touch, 5 important words, the US Open honors Grayson Murray

PINEHURST, NC – A word and two sentences. Twenty-nine words in all.

On the board attached to the door of the wooden locker in Pinehurst, where Grayson Murray was going to play this week, in the state where he grew up.

The USGA's action ahead of one of its showcase events, the US Open, was the latest in a series of golf pro bans for Murray, a 30-year-old professional who died in late May. His parents say Murray took his own life.

The Murray family also encouraged the PGA Tour to continue with the Charles Schwab Challenge, where Murray withdrew after 34 holes, with a note that included the words: “Please honor Grayson by being kind to each other.” Various services soon followed. On the Korn Ferry Tour a day after Murray's death was announced, Harry Higgs took time out of his winning speech to remember his fellow professional.

“I just have a message, so forgive me if things get a little deep,” Higgs began. “We lost, yesterday, one of us. I don't know if you've heard these stories, but someone who went through a lot of hard things, someone who was comfortable and honest about it. And I thought last night, I didn't sleep a bit. And I can sleep well. I thought about this moment and how I would miss Grayson.

“Everyone who is there, one, thank you very much for welcoming me and congratulating me and making me happy in everything. But this golf stuff and the result, it's good, really. But it's just – that's not all that matters.

“One thing I thought about last night, especially when I was lying in bed, I was going to challenge everyone here, and I'm going to do this too, day after day, to say something nice to someone you love. And make sure you say something nice to a stranger. The world is a very difficult place. The world is tough and getting tougher. I've been blessed with wonderful parents and a great support system, and I've never, apart from some frustration at times, had any mental battles. But God knows how many people are doing it and it is only increasing. So everyone here can make a difference. The difference. Brighten someone's day. It would mean the world.

“Challenge – I will start. I'm sure I'll say nice things to my loved ones, I hope I'll be here soon. But the second part of the challenge, say something nice to people I don't know. I would like to address all of you guys here: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Knoxville, you were such warm and gracious hosts. This will mean the world to me as I think about it, but I will miss the great people I met here in Knoxville. So again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Let's all try to put good into the world.”

Four days later, at the Canadian Open, longtime friend Akshay Bhatia wrote on his left wrist, in black marker, “G $,” or G-money. In his Instagram story, before his first time on Thursday afternoon, he posted a photo of it and wrote: “Let's ride today G.

“He's one of my best friends out here, we grew up together,” Bhatia said after playing that day. “I looked at him for a long time. I just—yeah, I wish you were here, but I know you're here watching more than anyone. Yeah, it's just crazy. As I was driving yesterday – or a few days ago, coming back from dinner back to the hotel, and for whatever reason, I looked to the right, and there was a trash can with a G bill. Strange things like that happen when I know you are with us.

“Yes, I'm playing him this week, and every round I'm playing in the next one however long it takes. Yes, he is with me all the time, and he meant a lot to me. I'm excited and proud to wear Grayson's name on my wrist.”

More awards came. At last week's Memorial Tournament, dozens of players and Tour officials gathered at the club's Memorial Park to share memories of Murray as a player and as a person.

Among the players who did so was world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who spoke from a podium next to Murray's golf bag and a photo of him punching after winning the Sony Open in January.

According to the Associated Press, Scheffler called Murray a “nice guy” and shared the story of losing a practice match against Murray in March at the Players Championship.

“The look on his face when I gave him $100 on the ninth green is something I will remember for a long time because you couldn't wipe that smile off his face. “Without a doubt, he loved being out here on the ropes,” Scheffler said.

The USGA's action was revealed Tuesday morning on social media.

On the post was a picture of a plaque attached to a locker. The plaque read:

“Grayson Murray. The USGA remembers Grayson and pays tribute to the accomplishments that earned him his spot in the 124th US Open Championship. 'Be kind to one another.'”

Nick Piastowski

Golf.com Editor

Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his role, he is responsible for planning, writing and promoting news on the golf course. And when he's not writing about how to hit the golf ball forward and straight, the Milwaukee native is probably playing the game, hitting the ball left, right and short, and drinking a cold beer to wash down his scores. You can contact him about any of these topics – his news, his game or his beer – at [email protected].