Grayson Murray’s death has dug up ghosts from the past. Murray had struggled with alcoholism and mental health problems. The two-time PGA Tour winner in 2021 put out a blunt tweet claiming, “In my 5 years of experience of being on tour not once have i ever had a request been acknowledged by the commissioner or the PAC other than ‘we will get back to you’.”

Murray also hoped that the Tour would step up in that direction instead of pouring “money into the top 10 guys.” That question was brought up to Commissioner Jay Monahan after his sudden demise. The 54-year-old revealed the conversation he had with Murray after that bombshell post.

Jay Monahan insists mental health is an area of focus

Jay Monahan ‘called him right away’ after coming across the tweet. That got the ball rolling in the Tour’s future programs for mental health issues. Murray was obviously not the only one. Matthew Wolff, another rising star, felt overwhelmed with the cut-throat life on the PGA Tour. So, Monahan wanted to understand how the organization could help his players deal with anxiety and other issues. 

Monahan said, “We’ve made a number of advancements along those lines and, you know, it’s become a real point of focus and emphasis. We’re proud of the programs we have in place to support our players, to support everybody out here.” Before THE PLAYERS Championship, Active Minds, a non-profit helping individuals with mental health issues, was part of the Driving Dialogue for Mental Health session.

The 54-year-old continued in the press conference, “My conversations with Grayson in the past, you know, in the area of mental health, we’re always challenging ourselves to make certain that we’re on the front edge of being able to provide the support that we can for everybody out here.”

Last year, Grayson Murray, frankly admitted that, “My parents have been through hell and back, basically, for the last six years with me fighting mental stuff.” Interestingly, around the time of his tweet three years ago, a former PGA Tour pro reached out to him promptly.

What Phil Mickelson told Grayson Murray

In the telling tweet, Grayson Murray wrote, “No the pga tour didn’t force me to drink. but the pga tour never gave me help.” Phil Mickelson replied, “I’m sorry playing the Tour has been so overwhelming and if I can help in any way I’d be happy to.” Lefty, then in his last full season with the PGA Tour, admitted this life wasn’t easy. And, even victories can bring up certain unforeseen challenges. 

Notably, Mickelson also claimed, “FYI ‘we will get back to you’ is the only response I’ve ever gotten too.” The six-time Major champion has yet to share his thoughts on Murray’s passing away. The tour, in an official statement, didn’t specify the cause. 

Jim Nantz, on the broadcast, confirmed that the PGA Tour wanted to stop the Charles Schwab Challenge, from where Grayson Murray withdrew. However, his family was adamant that the tournament should go on. Grayson Murray’s most recent victory came at the Sony Open Hawaii.