Grayson Murray may be gone, but he is not forgotten by his friend and professional golfer, Akshay Bhatia. Bhatia, 22, inked “G$” on his left wrist before of this week’s RBC Canadian Open in Hamilton, Ontario, in honour of Murray, whom he affectionately called “G-Money.” Murray, 30, died by suicide on Saturday, May 25. Bhatia shared the homage on Instagram Stories before his opening round on Thursday, May 30. Bhatia captioned a photo of his wrist, “Let’s ride today, G.” Grayson Murray’s coach shares an emotional statement following his death.
“I’m playing for him this week, and I’ll play every round for the next however long,” Bhatia said after his first round on Thursday. “Yeah, he’s always with me, and he meant so much to me. “I am just happy and proud to wear Grayson’s name on my wrist.” Akshay Bhatia Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images. Bhatia revealed that he had been struggling since Murray’s death, stating, “Oh, God, I didn’t think it would be this hard.” “He’s one of my best buddies out here; we grew up together,” Bhatia explained.
“I had looked up to him for a long time. I wish he was still here, but I know he is watching over everyone. Bhatia went on to say that his wrist tattoo was motivated by an unusual coincidence in the run-up to the tournament. Grayson Murray of the United States celebrates after defeating Akshay Bhatia of the United States in the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on January 14, 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Michael Reaves/Getty Images. “I was driving yesterday, or a couple days ago, going back from dinner back to the hotel, and for whatever reason, I looked to the right, and there was a trash can with ‘G-money’ on it,” Bhatia said.
“Just freaky stuff happens like that where I know he’s with us.” Despite the eight-year age difference between the players, Bhatia described Murray as a consistent tutor on the course, particularly in his early career.
All the details about Rory McIlroy and Grayson Murray’s rocky relationship “When I was 13, 14 years old, I saw him on the putting green at our golf club and asked him what it was like to be on the PGA Tour. “It’s so cool, right?”
Bhatia recalls. “And he was continuously saying, ‘Dude, you’re going to be there. Trust me. I’m not sure; he just always believed in me. Grayson Murray poses with the title trophy after winning the first play-off hole in the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on January 14, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Michael Reaves/Getty Images. Bhatia praised Murray’s openness about his difficulties with mental health and alcoholism over the years, and he stated how Murray’s death has brought him and his fellow players together. “I believe his tale and all that has occurred has truly opened everyone’s eyes. “It just doesn’t happen very often,”
Bhatia explained. “The amount of appreciation and just uplifting energy from everyone across the world and on the PGA Tour has been great for his family.” He said, “We’re grateful for that because sometimes you feel like no one really cares about you, but the fact that he’s touched this many people’s hearts, my heart, he’s made me just really open my eyes a little bit.”
