Grayson Murray’s play-off birdie delivers emotional US PGA Tour Sony Open victory

LOS ANGELES – Grayson Murray sank a 38-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to win a three-man play-off on Jan 14 at the Sony Open, completing a stunning personal comeback.

The 30-year-old American, who battled back from alcohol abuse and mental health issues, beat countryman Keegan Bradley and South Korean An Byeong-hun to capture his second career tour title.

Murray, who claimed his only previous US PGA Tour title at the 2017 Barbasol Championship as a tour rookie, made his fightback after a 2022 scooter accident in Bermuda.

“A lot of hard work pays off,” he said moments after the victory. “It’s not easy. 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.”

His advice to others facing hardships was simple.

“Just persevere,” Murray said. “And when you get tired of fighting, let someone else fight for you. And that’s what happened.”

An (64), Murray and Bradley (both 67) all ended a back-nine shoot-out on 17-under 263 after 72 holes at Waialae in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“I hate it for Keegan and Ben. They played awesome golf,” Murray said. “Sometimes it’s just tough to be in a play-off when it’s sudden death and only one person can win.”

China’s Carl Yuan fired a 63 to share fourth on 264 with American Russell Henley, who matched his round. American J.T. Poston was sixth on 265 after a closing 61.

Murray qualified for PGA signature events and his first trip to the US Masters. “Today wasn’t going to change my life,” he said. “But it did change my career a little bit and I’m excited.”

The life changes got him into the position for the victory, he added.

“I hope everyone at home watching can get a little inspiration from me. If I can help one person, that’s all it takes.”

Murray cited the courage he found to risk making changes in his life.

“Change is difficult because it’s unknown. You don’t know what’s going to happen. You don’t know if it’s going to pay off,” he said.

“I hope people can see the change I’ve made in my personal life. I want to be known as a good person going forward.”

After multiple five-way ties for the lead down the stretch, Bradley seized the sole lead by sinking a 21-foot birdie putt at the par-four 15th to reach 17 under.

At the par-five 18th, An missed an eagle putt from just beyond 13 feet but tapped in for birdie to match Bradley for the lead.

Murray dropped his approach at No. 18 within three feet and tapped in for birdie to reach the play-off, while Henley missed a 23-foot birdie putt.

The play-off was a return to the 18th, where Bradley hit a five-wood into the left grandstand with his second shot. An was in greenside rough to the right and Murray was short on the fairway.

After Murray left himself a 38-foot birdie putt and Bradley left himself 17 feet for birdie, An pitched to just outside four feet and seemed to have the advantage.

But Murray rolled in his amazing putt, his rivals missed and he had an emotional triumph.

“That was just a perfect stroke,” he said. “Sometimes you just get lucky.”

Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner, missed out on his seventh PGA title while An, still seeking his first PGA title after 182 starts, settled for a fifth career runner-up spot.

“I hung in there, finished up pretty good at the end,” An said. “It feels pretty disappointing. It came down to the last putt.

“Overall, I had a solid week. It’s very disappointing how I finished but it’s looking good so far.”

Bradley added: “It was a great week. I played great. I played good enough to win.

“But sometimes it’s just not quite good enough, and that was one of these weeks.” AFP, REUTERS