Rory McIlroy says the death of golfer Grayson Murray is a reminder that the sport ‘pales in comparison’ to what is most important in life.
Murray, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, withdrew from last week’s Charles Schwab Challenge event Friday due to illness after playing 16 holes of his second round.
The Tour announced on Saturday that he had died, while the 30-year-old American’s parents later said in a statement that he had committed suicide.
“It’s incredibly sad, first of all, and I think we’re all thinking of Grayson’s family and hoping that they’re doing well and getting through this incredibly difficult time,” McIlroy said before the RBC Canadian Open.
“It’s a cliché, but it puts everything into perspective. At the end of the day, golf is golf and yes, we play it for a living, but it pales in comparison to the things that really matter in life.
“I’ve had to realize that at times and I’m still a little bit concerned about not making golf the most important thing to me. I think it’s a slap in the face when something like that happens last week.”
The four-time major winner said the “incredibly sad” news reminded us that athletes are just as “vulnerable” as everyone else.
“It’s incredibly sad and everyone here needs to remember that we go out and do things that a lot of people can’t do, but at the end of the day we’re still human beings,” he said.
“We’re vulnerable and we’re vulnerable, and I think if there’s a lesson for everyone, it’s just to be kinder to each other.”
The Canadian Open returns to Hamilton Golf and Country Club this week for the first time since McIlroy’s victory in the tournament in 2019.
The Northern Irishman, who fell to number three in the world after beating Xander Schauffele in the PGA Championship this month, did not play last week but will play in each of the next four tournaments, including the US Open in Pinehurst next month.
“I’m definitely out,” the 35-year-old said.
“I went to my best friend’s wedding in Italy for four days which was really nice, good to see a lot of people from back home that I haven’t seen for a long time. Yeah, it was actually a really good trip, I needed it.
“Afterwards I had a wonderful holiday, I had a great weekend at home. Spent time with my family and with Poppy [McIlroy’s daughter] And yes, it was great.”
McIlroy, whose second-place finish at last year’s US Open was his best since his 2011 victory, said he “needed that reset”.
“I’ve been playing here for four weeks in a row so yeah, I’m ready to go, but yeah, it’s been a busy stretch and I’ve kind of managed to get back into it,” says the 35-year-old – old said.
“I probably hit a total of probably 150 balls last week. So not that I’m feeling rusty, I feel like I’ve played enough golf to keep myself going, but yeah, last week was a good week to reset and start over.
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