The Mental Health Challenges of Professional Golf

You may or may not know that four-time major winner Rory McIlroy had exchanged some heated words with Grayson Murray. 

Twelve months ago Jay Monahan shocked the world of professional golf by announcing a framework deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which funds LIV Golf. At a players’ meeting following the announcement, Murray had some pretty strong words of criticism for PGA Tour commissioner Monahan. 

McIlroy told him: "Just play better." Murray’s response is not one I have any intention of repeating here. Let’s just say it was not something you would want your mother to hear.

It has to be said that Murray, who died during the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial after taking his own life, was a troubled soul. When he won the Sony Open earlier this year it looked like he had turned a corner. He opened up to the world about his mental health issues and his battles with alcoholism. 

It was pretty obvious that all was still not well with him but his death at 30 years of age was shocking and continued to dominate conversations during the Canadian Open.

McIlroy said: "It’s incredibly sad, first and foremost and I think we’re all thinking of Grayson’s family and hoping that they’re doing OK and getting through this incredibly tough period. 

"Yeah, I think, you know, it’s cliche, but it puts everything in perspective. It puts everything - you know, at the end of the day, you know, golf is golf and, yeah, we play it for a living, but it pales in comparison to the things that actually matter in life. That’s a - I’ve had to realise that at times and I’m still sort of working my way through that in terms of not making golf the be-all end-all for me. I think it slaps you in the face when something like that happens last week. 

"Everyone has to remember out here that we go out and we do things that a lot of people can’t, but at the end of the day, we’re still human beings, and we’re vulnerable and we’re fragile, and I think if there’s a lesson for anyone out there it’s just to be kinder to each other."

McIlroy is going through his own issues, having recently announced that he is going through a divorce.

Mackenzie Hughes was also questioned about Murray’s death. He had written the following on social media: "So unbelievably sad and shocking to hear about Grayson. I think he was a little misunderstood and was open about the battles he had faced, but I always felt he had a good heart. And it seemed like he was writing a new chapter in his life. Sending love to those closest to him."

He was asked how he feels now. Mackenzie said: "It was really, really sad. I came on Tour in 2016, 2017 with Grayson, and, I mean, it was out there for everyone, his ups and downs. His life was well documented, and the fact that he had lots of great moments and he had some moments that he would love to have done over again, I’m sure. But like I said in my post, I always felt like he had a really good heart and wanted to help people. I think he was doing that as well by speaking about what he was dealing with. 

"I think people realizing that professional athletes that are making lots of money are also dealing with the same things that everyone else deals with, would resonate with a lot of people. I mean, if that’s going to be his legacy, that’s a pretty great one to leave. That, you know, it’s OK to be not OK. Yeah, I’m thinking about his family and people close to him, because I know it was so sudden, so unexpected. I know the Tour now will kind of look at how we can be better there, how we can continue to help people like that that are struggling and hopefully avoid this in the future."

When talking and writing about his problems, Murray implied that he had not received much support from the PGA Tour. Phil Mickelson, an individual who still divides opinion, responded on X by writing: "I’m sorry playing the Tour has been so overwhelming and if I can help in any way I’d be happy to. It’s not an easy life for sure, and even winning every year can bring about other challenges. FYI ‘we will get back to you’ is the only response I’ve ever gotten [from the Tour] too."

Before his emotional victory in Canada, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre had spoken about the difficulties he has had settling into life on the PGA Tour and many others have struggled. 

Chris Kirk is another who turned to alcohol to combat the loneliness of life on Tour. Unlike Murray, he seems to have found a solution and a way to cope. He is proud of the way he has come out the other side.

If nothing else, it is to be hoped that everybody involved learns some lessons after Murray’s tragic suicide and that if anybody else reaches out for help then it will be offered without question.