McIlroy says we are only human as tour deals with Murray suicide

HAMILTON, Ontario: Before launching his bid for a Canadian Open hat trick, Rory McIlroy reminded fans on Wednesday that golfers are only human as the PGA Tour grappled with the suicide of two-time champion Grayson Murray.

McIlroy, the 2019 and 2022 Canadian Open champion, has also been dealing with some personal turmoil, announcing earlier this month that he had ended his seven-year marriage and filed for divorce.

The four-time major champion also finds himself under frequent attack as one of the top names in a sometimes bitter feud between the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf Tour.

“I have to realise that sometimes and I’m still working on that and not making golf my everything,” the Northern Irishman told reporters after a practice session at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. “I think something like this last week can really blow your mind.”

“As I said, it’s sad and everyone has 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 and we’re fragile and we’re vulnerable.

“I think if there’s one lesson for everyone it’s to be kinder to each other.”

Murray’s death came a day after he withdrew from the PGA Championship for health reasons, shocking the golf world.

The 30-year-old American turned professional in 2015 and won his first PGA Tour title in 2017. After winning this year’s Sony Open in Hawaii, his world ranking reached a career-high 46th.

“I played with Grayson on the 2016 and 2017 tours,” Canadian hopeful Mackenzie Hughes said. “Everyone could see his ups and downs, and his life was documented.”

“He also does that by talking about what he’s dealing with.

“I think people realize that professional athletes who make a lot of money face the same problems as everyone else.

“If that’s his legacy, it’s going to be a really great legacy, even if it’s not great.

“I know the Tour will now be looking at how we can do better, how we can continue to help those who have fallen on hard times and hopefully avoid incidents like this in the future.”