PGA Tour golfer shocks reporter with Grayson Murray story

PGA Tour member Gary Woodland has revealed a spectator broke down in front of Grayson Murray at last year's PGA Championship after the golfer went public with his battle against depression and anxiety. 

Woodland shared his memories of Murray in a news conference before this week's Sony Open.

Murray, 30, claimed a thrilling playoff victory in this event 12 months ago but, tragically, took his own life in May 2024. 

He was found dead in his apartment in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, just 24 hours after withdrawing from the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.

The world of golf was left completely devastated and, since his death, various stories have emerged which suggested the two-time Tour winner was completely misunderstood. 

"This should have been a very special week for Grayson," a red-eyed Woodland told reporters on Wednesday. 

PGA Tour members, officials and his family attended a celebration of life for Murray at the start of the week. 

His family have also launched a foundation in his honour. 

"I played with Grayson on Sunday last year of the PGA Championship," Woodland continued. 

"And I'll say this: Grayson was very open about his struggles and everything he battled. 

"We had a guy that was following us for a couple holes and he was yelling at Grayson, trying to get Grayson's attention. 

"Him and I were talking, weren't paying attention. 

"Finally Grayson looked over and the guy broke down and started crying and thanked Grayson for how open he was about his struggles and everything. 

"The guy was sober now. He was getting into golf because of Grayson. He heard Grayson's story.

"Grayson was helping people, and I'll always remember that."

Woodland said during the exchange Murray was intent on not giving the perceived unruly spectator any attention. 

"I thought maybe Grayson mad him mad," Woodland said. 

"We were laughing about it talking, and then Grayson looked, and it was beautiful."

Woodland has also been through the ringer over the past year.

Last April, he began to experience bizarre symptoms that included tremors in his hands, chills and low energy.

An MRI ruled out Parkinson's disease, but a lesion on his brain was discovered.

He had brain surgery on 18 September and made his comeback to the Tour four months later.

"I've had grown men come up to me crying that they've been battling brain tumours or battling stuff, and seeing me out here playing again gives them hope," he said.  

"I'm trying to do that. At the end of the day, I want to have a positive impact in this world. 

"I'd like to have a positive impact on myself playing golf, and I'd like to have a positive impact on my family."

Woodland, unsurprisingly, said 2024 was the hardest year of his life. 

But the future looks bright, he said, and he believes he can get back to his 2019 best when he clinched the U.S. Open. 

What gives him that confidence?

Woodland said: "I think from a golf standpoint I'm in a better position now than I was in 2019, I just had a lot of confidence then. I had played well for 10 years straight.

"The confidence is coming. But I know my game is in a better spot, and that's exciting."

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