Grayson Murray douses demons to win epic Sony Open title

Grayson Murray waited a very long time to get his second PGA Tour victory, but it surely lastly arrived because the Sony Open in a three-man playoff.

He entered the 72nd gap one shot again of each Keegan Bradley and Byeong Hun An. Murray stuffed his method two ft for a faucet in a birdie to place himself into the playoff with Bradley and An.

Then within the playoff, Murray did the unthinkable: he sank a 39-foot birdie putt to win the title.

Murray gave an epic fist pump after the ball landed in its dwelling, but it surely wasn’t over.

“That putt was looking good the whole way,” Murray mentioned. “I’m a sucker for some good celebrations. I love making big-time putts in big-time moments. I’m never going to back down from a celebration.”

While the fist pump was impeccable, he needed to anticipate An to putt from 4 ft. It was Murray’s day as An missed his birdie putt, and so did Bradley.

It was a day filled with grinding for the Raleigh, N.C. native. He carded a bogey-free 67 however made simply three birdies all day.

“Hard work pays off. It’s not easy, you know,” Murray mentioned. “I wanted to give up a lot of times, give up on myself, give up on the game of golf, give up on life at times. Just persevere, and when you get tired of fighting, let someone else fight for you. That’s what happened.”

If that quote sounds acquainted, Jimmy Valvano coined the well-known phrase. The quote might not be phrase for phrase from Valvano, but it surely received its level throughout.

“Every year we see the Jimmy Valvano Award at the ESPYs, and we always see him talking back in the day, his famous quotes,” Murray mentioned. “It’s something to live by. He was such a great inspiration to everyone, and they’re still raising tons of money through his foundation. A guy like that who can have that type of attitude who’s basically dying, why can’t I?”

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Murray is eight months sober and has been combating again to get into the proper way of thinking. His story of discovering his religion and having his assist system round him has gotten him thus far.

He is combating off these demons and received the job finished Sunday. It took him a very long time to get to the place he’s now.

Many would say that this win modified his life, however to Murray, it didn’t.

“It’s a lot for my career. I knew today was not going to change my life,” he mentioned. “My fiancée changed my life; Jesus Christ changed my life. Today wasn’t going to change my life, but it did change my career a little bit, and I’m excited.”

With this victory, he earned entrance into the Signature Events this 12 months and can make his first journey to Augusta National to play on the Masters.

Murray is combating to raised himself each day and to remain the course. This week in Hawaii confirmed what he’s able to.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For extra golf protection, you should definitely comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may also comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.