Grayson Murray’s Lifelong Mentor Is 'Absolutely Numb and Crushed' by His Death: 'Will Carry Your Memory'

• Grayson Murray’s longtime coach and mentor, Ted Kiegiel, shares his emotions following the golfer’s death
• Kiegiel noted that Murray “was a kind and gentle soul – who had the heart of a lion when it came to competitive golf.”
• On May 26, Murray’s parents confirmed that the cause of his death was suicide

Following the death of professional golfer Grayson Murray, his coach and lifelong mentor, Ted Kiegiel, shared a heartbreaking message about a “kind and gentle soul.”

“I am completely numb and devastated by the loss of Grayson,” Kiegiel began his message on Xu (formerly Twitter). “He was family… He was more than family… We were kindred spirits – sharing so many triumphant ‘life’ moments, while suffering through setbacks that challenged his very essence.”

Kiegiel said in a May 26 post that he and Murray, whose death at age 30 was confirmed May 25, “spent countless hours” together over more than two decades of friendship, during which they leaned on and found strength in each other. to another. “We knew each other very well,” he added.

Davis Riley pays tribute to fellow golfer Grayson Murray after his death: ‘Sad day in the world of golf’

The coach also revealed how he first met the two-time PGA Tour winner, writing: “Our story began when his dad, Eric, arranged a golf lesson with me when Grayson was 8… It was a serendipitous meeting that would go on and forge trip of a lifetime for us.”

“Grayson was a kind and gentle soul – who had the heart of a lion when it came to competitive golf,” he wrote. “Taking it from his earliest days as a very successful junior player – all the way up to the PGA Tour… Yes – he was among the best in the game and [was] respected for the talent he possessed.”

Grayson Murray is playing golf in 2024.

Andrew Redington/Getty

But Kiegiel — whose X account is filled with posts celebrating Murray’s professional achievements — emphasized that Murray’s “true character was based on love, kindness to those he knew.”

“Or if you somehow came into his presence … That seed was planted by his parents, Eric and Terry Murray — who I love and care about deeply,” he noted, adding, “They are truly the salt of the earth.”

Golfer Peter Malnati breaks down in tears talking about Grayson Murray’s death: ‘It’s so sad’

The coach also noted that “words cannot describe the tragedy of this moment.”

“What I can say is – Grayson came from something ordinary and made it EXTRAORDINARY…He burned bright for the 30 years he gave us,” he wrote. “Grayson will be greatly missed by his many friends and family – as well as the golf world.”

“It was an honor to serve as your coach and mentor,” he concluded. “I will miss you so, so much and I will carry you in my memory for days.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Grayson Murray.

Jennifer Perez/PGA TOUR/Getty

PGA Tour officials confirmed Murray’s death in an official statement posted on the organization’s website on May 25, a day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge midway through the second round.

The following day, May 26, the parents of the deceased golfer confirmed that the cause of his death was suicide.

“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone,” Eric and Terry Murray wrote in a statement. “It’s surreal that not only do we have to admit it to ourselves, but we have to admit it to the world. It’s a nightmare.”

“We have so many unanswered questions. But one,” they continued. “Was Grayson loved? The answer is yes. We, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, his entire extended family, his friends, his fellow players and – it seems – many of you reading this. He was loved and missed will.”

Tribute to celebrities who died in 2024

The parents of the late golfer also expressed their gratitude to the PGA TOUR “and the entire golf world for the outpouring of support.” “Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson,” they wrote, “and even though he took his own life, we know he is now resting in peace.”

They also asked for privacy as they “live through this incredible tragedy” and urged people to show kindness in honor of their son, writing: “If this becomes his legacy, we can ask for nothing else. Thank you.”

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education