Grayson Murray dies aged 30 after withdrawing from PGA Tour event hours earlier

American golfer Grayson Murray has died at the age of 30, a day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Murray, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, including victory at the Sony Open earlier this year, pulled out of the event with two holes to go during the second round on Friday due to illness.

PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, said in a statement on Saturday: “We were devastated to learn — and are heartbroken to share — that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words.

“The PGA Tour is a family and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones.”

Monahan said the decision was made to continue with the tournament at Colonial after consulting with Murray's family. No cause of death has been given.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald was among those to pay tribute to Murray, who was ranked 58th in the world and finished in a tie for 43rd at the PGA Championship earlier this month. He also played at The Masters for the first time at Augusta in April.

Donald posted on social media: “Truly devastating news that Grayson Murray has passed away. He asked me for some advice on how to play Augusta a few months ago, last week I saw him at the PGA Championship, life truly is precious.

“My condolences and prayers to his whole family that they may find some peace.”

World No1 Scottie Scheffler said: “Obviously, the news hasn't really sunk in quite yet, but I'm thinking about his family and praying hard for all of them.

"I can't imagine how difficult of a time this is. I got to know Grayson a bit better over the last six months or so.

"There's not really a way to put into words how sad and tragic it is, but I'm thinking about his family."

On social media, Bubba Watson wrote: “Very sad to hear the news of Grayson Murray’s passing today. Life is so fragile… I was just hugging you at the Masters, telling you how proud of you I am. Thankful to have known you.“My deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. He will be missed.”

Murray’s playing partner for the opening two rounds at the Charles Schwab Challenge, Peter Malnati, broke down in tears while discussing his passing during an emotional television interview.

He told CBS Sports: “This is gonna be really hard. I didn’t know Grayson all that well, but I spent the last few days with him. It’s so funny... we get so worked up out here about a bad break here or a good break there.

“You know, we’re so competitive, so competitive out here. We all want to beat each other. And then something like this happens and you realise we’re all just humans.

"This is just a really, really hard day because you look at Grayson and you see in him someone who has visibly, outwardly struggled in the past, and he’s been open about it. And you see him get his life back to a place where he’s feeling good about things. It’s just so sad."