Grayson Murray’s untimely and sudden death at 30 years old has left the golf community stunned. The PGA Tour confirmed the news of his death in a statement by Jay Monahan, the Commissioner: “We were devastated to learn–and are heartbroken to share–that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same.” The news put the spotlight on his real family, too. More specifically, Christiana Ritchie, the woman he was going to vow to spend the rest of his life with.

The two-time PGA Tour winner was very open about his relationship with Ritchie, who he met in 2021. Murray has also spoken about the impact Ritchie had on his life and his recovery from alcoholism. “Everyone in my life right now who is close to me, who has been through the struggles with me–it’s all a team effort. I am sitting here alone, but all of them are part of this,” said Murray. Ritchie was instrumental in bringing the 30-year-old back to faith’s way. Here is what we know about their relationship and marital status. 

Grayson Murray was going to get married soon

Grayson Murray got engaged to Ritchie last December. The golfer proposed to her at a country club in Nashville, Tennessee. He called this decision the “easiest decision of my life.” Murray wrote at the time, “I love you so much, babe. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” However, they were yet to tie the knot. Per reports, the couple was slated to walk down the aisle later this year in North Carolina, where Murray grew up. 

While Murray’s parents, Eric and Terry, released a statement via the PGA Tour’s X account – where they confirmed the 30-year-old took his own life – Ritchie hasn’t publicly reacted yet. Interestingly, Murray seemed to have deleted the engagement post from Instagram. Nevertheless, the duo was together in Hawaii when Murray notched the Sony Open title, his first win in seven years. The PGA Tour pro revealed they share the same faith. 

Murray and Ritchie’s journey into faith

Murray revealed that Ritchie has devoted her life to God. And the two-time PGA Tour winner, whose eight-month journey into sobriety started with a steady walk back to faith, was glad to find Ritchie in his life. Grayson Murray revealed that before the 2024 Sony Open victory, they “said a prayer that the good Lord is looking over us, and no matter what the outcome was going to be, it wasn’t going to be life-changing.” 

Although Ritchie’s Instagram handle is private, her bio reads: “Colossians 3:23.” The verse from the New International Version reads, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.’

Murray, who struggled with alcohol addiction in the past, said in January, “I think I neglected that part of my life for a while, and meeting my fiancée and how our lives kind of changed over the last three years, she’s devoted her life to Christ, and I’ve devoted my life to Christ. That’s what’s going to be first in our relationship going forward.” Besides sharing the same devotion to Christ, they also had a common interest: Golf.

The couple shared a love for golf

Grayson Murray met Christiana Ritchie at Palm Springs during the 2021 American Express. Per Marca, the couple lived together in Jupiter. Ritchie was also at the Augusta National Golf Club this year. During the Par-3 Contest, which is traditionally a family affair, Ritchie teed off at the 16th. Her drive stopped just a few feet short of the pin. ANGC posted the clip on their X handle, “Grayson Murray’s fianceé, Christiana, shows the group how it’s done.” 

Given Christiana’s love for golf and frequent appearances at tournaments to support her fiancé, she was bound to meet and interact with some of Murray’s closest friends on the greens. One of them was Webb Simpson, and he, too, talked about Ritchie’s positive influence on his late friend over the past few months–be it in terms of his faith or just his renewed outlook on life.

After Murray’s demise, Simpson said, “Grayson put great people around him. His fiancée, Christiana, seems like a great woman. I think they were really excited about getting married.” Describing his time with both of them, he added, “I actually had a meal with them during the Pebble Beach tournament. It seemed like, in the last six to eight months, he had really started committing his life to Christ and trying to honor Christ with his life. It definitely seemed like there was more of a lightness to him, in a good way, over these past few months when I would see him.”

How did Ritchie help Grayson Murray during tough times?

The two-time PGA Tour winner knew the trouble he could cause in the lives of the people closest to him. “It’s not easy on me and the people around me who love me,” Murray admitted in a candid conversation last May. After his last victory at Hawaii earlier this year, the 30-year-old said, “I wouldn’t trade anything. I have a beautiful fiancée now that I love so much and who’s so supportive of me.” Not much is known about Ritchie, however, other than the times she was spotted with Murray. The couple mostly kept their relationship private. 

The PGA Tour, in its official handle, didn’t provide the details of the tragedy. Grayson Murray pulled out from the Charles Schwab Challenge, citing an undisclosed illness. His death has left his peers shaken as statements pour in in the aftermath of tragedy.