"I just wanted to honor him on this hole," - Nick Taylor remembers Grayson Murray after Sony Open 2025 win

Nick Taylor remembered the 2024 Sony Open winner Grayson Murray after winning the PGA Tour event on Sunday, January 12. The Canadian golfer defeated Nico Echavarría in the second playoff hole of the 2025 Sony Open to win the PGA Tour event.

Last year, Murray won it by defeating Byeong Hun An and Keegan Bradley in a playoff. Unfortunately, the American was found dead on May 25, 2024, in his house in Palm Beach, and later his parents confirmed that he had committed suicide.

After Taylor won the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii, he remembered last year's champion and shared an emotional message. During the press conference of the tournament on January 12, Taylor said, via ASAP Sports:

"I just wanted to shine some light on him. He is someone that I've known since being on TOUR. Maybe he was a year or two after me. Not that we hung out a great deal, but when we saw each other we would chat briefly. I remember seeing him here one year ago the day after in the airport and chatting with him.

"He came up to me the weekend in the Canadian Open in 2023 and had the nice things to say about the Phoenix week when I didn't win but played with Scottie. He was just really impressed. He was just always a guy to come up and say really nice things. You know, with the service on Tuesday, just felt like a week you're thinking about him the whole time. I just wanted to honor him on this hole," he added.

Nick Taylor played the four rounds of 66, 68, 65, and 65 to take the lead in the game, tied with Nico Echavarría at 16-under. They both competed in a playoff, where both made a birdie on the first hole. However, on the second playoff hole, the Canadian registered a victory by making a birdie while the Colombian golfer settled for a par.

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Grayson Murray's parents launch a foundation in their son's honor

Ahead of the start of the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii last week, Grayson Murray's parents announced the launch of the Grayson Murray Foundation last Monday. They created a foundation to help people struggling with mental health, anxiety, and depression. Announcing the launch of the foundation, Murray's parents released a statement saying, via Golf Week:

"Grayson touched the hearts of so many by sharing his own mental health challenges. He utilized his platform as a multi-time champion on the PGA Tour to reach and inspire those in need, and we are determined to continue his generosity and unwavering commitment to help make a difference in the lives of others.”

Grayson Murray won seven professional tournaments in his career. However, his win at the Sony Open last year came after a six-year winless streak on the PGA Tour.

Murray won his first PGA Tour event at the 2017 Barbasol Championship but struggled with his game before finally winning the Sony Open in 2024.