Sports
Golfer Harry Higgs delivers powerful speech about Grayson Murray: 'Everybody here could be the difference'
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Harry Higgs came out victorious after a playoff at the Visit Knoxville Open on the Korn Ferry Tour Sunday afternoon, but he didn’t deliver the typical closing remarks one would do after winning a golf tournament.
Instead, he took the time to address the loss of Grayson Murray, whose parents confirmed Sunday in a statement that he “took his own life” on Saturday. Murray was 30 years old and had finished his second round at the Charles Schwab Challenge on the PGA Tour on Friday, though he withdrew citing an illness.
The sports world was in total shock to learn of Murray’s passing, especially the PGA Tour, as it suggested shutting down play until Murray’s parents agreed to keep things going after speaking with commissioner Jay Monahan.
Harry Higgs plays his shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the Visit Knoxville Open at Holston Hills Country Club on May 26, 2024, in Tennessee. (Brennan Asplen/Getty Images)
Though the Korn Ferry Tour is the step just below the PGA Tour in terms of competition level, Murray was once on the circuit, battling for his Tour card like every professional golfer dreams.
Higgs took the time to not just remember Murray, but also deliver a powerful message for everyone present for the speech and those watching at home.
“I just have a message, so forgive me if things get a little deep,” Higgs began his speech. “We lost yesterday morning one of our own. I don’t know if you guys heard the news, but somebody who went through a lot of difficult things. Somebody who was open and honest about it, and I thought last night – I didn’t sleep worth a darn and I’m really good at sleeping.
“I thought about this moment and how to maybe remember Grayson, and it just kind of dawned on me that everybody here – one, thank you so much for receiving me and congratulating me and cheering me on throughout. But this golf stuff and the result, it’s lovely, sure. But it’s just not that meaningful.
GRAYSON MURRAY’S CADDIE GIVES EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE TO ‘BROTHER:’ ‘WOULD TRULY DO ANYTHING FOR ANYONE’
“One thing that I thought of last night, especially laying in bed, is I would challenge everybody here – and I’m going to do this myself as well – each day say something nice to someone you love. And also, make it a point to say something nice to somebody you do not even know.”
As Higgs mentioned, Murray was open about his mental health struggles and battle with alcohol addiction. He said in January that he was several months sober, though it would always be something he had to battle.
“The world is a very difficult place, and only getting more difficult,” Higgs continued. “I’ve been blessed with great parents and a great support system, and I haven’t had – other than some frustration at times – any battles mentally. But Lord knows how many people do, and it’s only ever increasing.
Harry Higgs poses with the trophy after winning the Visit Knoxville Open on May 26, 2024. (Brennan Asplen/Getty Images)
“Everybody here could be a difference – the difference. Brighten up somebody’s day, it could mean the world.”
Setting the example for the challenge he put forth to everyone listening, Higgs went on to thank everyone in Knoxville for their hospitality throughout the week of the tournament.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “Knoxville, you guys were warm and gracious hosts. This will mean the world to me as I think back on it, but I will just remember the great people I met here in Knoxville.”
So many have offered their condolences and shared stories about their times interacting with Murray.
What Higgs did here was not only in remembrance of Murray, but a call to action. You never know what someone could be going through on any day, so a random act of kindness could make a huge difference in the world.
Murray’s parents, Eric and Terry, said in their statement Sunday that their son was surrounded with love.
Grayson Murray reacts during the trophy presentation after he won the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation at The Grove on Sept. 17, 2023, in College Grove, Tennessee. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
“We have so many questions that have no answers. But one,” the statement read. “Was Grayson loved? Yes. By us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all of his extended family, by his friends, by his fellow players and – it seems – by many of you who are reading this. He was loved and he will be missed.
“We would like to thank the PGA Tour and the entire world of golf for the outpouring of support. Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now.”
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Folarin Balogun’s teammates came to his defense after the USA World Cup star was given a red card during the team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night.
Balogun received the red card after he stepped on defender Tarik Muharemovic’s right ankle. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus only gave Balogun the card after a VAR review. The red card meant Balogun will not be able to play in the team’s Round of 16 match against Belgium.
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United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, stands by after being issued a red card by Referee Raphael Claus, of Brazil, as United States’ Weston McKennie (8) looks on during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
A FIFA official told The Athletic a team cannot appeal against the red card or the suspension. The official pointed the outlet to a portion of the organization’s rules and regulations, which states, “A sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures.”
Balogun’s teammate, Weston McKennie, called the lack of an appeal process “bogus” and disagreed with the referee’s decision to issue the red card.
Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac (5) talks to United States’ Folarin Balogun after Balogun was sent off, as Christian Pulisic (10) watches during the World Cup round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Julio Cortez / AP)
“Obviously the ref made a decision that he made, but I think it’s questionable,” McKennie said. “I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all. It’s disappointing.”
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said Balogun’s act “was never intentional.”
“It’s never a red card. Never. … If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that never was. It was a normal action in football that you are fighting for the ball and your feet land,” he said.
Balogun is the third player to score in a World Cup knockout match and be sent off. He follows Brazil’s Ronaldinho in 2002’s quarterfinal match against England and France’s Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy.
Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
It’s the fifth red card handed to an American in the squad’s World Cup history.
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Eric Wynalda received one against Czechoslovakia in 1990, Fernando Clavijo got one against Brazil in 1994 and Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope each received one against Italy in 2006.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
While veterans jockey for new contracts during free agency, young players are getting their tryout opportunities with NBA summer league games beginning this week.
First-round draft pick Cameron Carr and second-year forward Adou Thiero highlight the Lakers summer league roster that was announced Wednesday. The 16-man team will be coached by Lakers assistant coach Ty Abbott and begin summer league play Friday against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
The Lakers also face the Miami Heat (July 5, 1:30 p.m.) and San Antonio Spurs (July 6, 4:30 p.m.) in the California Classic before playing in the Las Vegas summer league from July 9-19. The Lakers play Oklahoma City (July 10), Dallas (July 11), the Clippers (July 14) and Chicago (July 16) in Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center.
The Lakers traded up in the draft to get Carr, a 6-foot-5 guard out of Baylor, with the 24th overall pick. He will make his unofficial NBA debut, along with former Indiana State and Saint Louis star Robbie Avila. The 6-10 center became a bespectacled college basketball cult hero known affectionately as “Cream Abdul Jabbar” while leading Indiana State to the NIT championship game in 2024. He transferred to Saint Louis, where he was named Atlantic-10 player of the year as a senior when the Billikens won a school-record 29 wins.
Although he is entering his second season with the Lakers, Thiero will be playing his first summer league games. Persistent knee injuries hampered his rookie season. The athletic 6-7 forward averaged 1.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 25 appearances last season. He said after the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs that he wanted to improve on his three-point shooting during his second year. He attempted only five three-pointers during his rookie season, regular season and playoffs, making one.
Lakers summer league roster
Robbie Avila, C, 6-10, 240
Cameron Carr, G, 6-5, 190
Jon Elmore, G, 6-3, 190
Luke Goode, F, 6-7, 210
William Hickey, G, 6-4, 203
Arthur Kaluma, F, 6-7, 225
William Kyle III, C, 6-9, 230
Chris Mañon, G, 6-4, 212
Robert McCray V, G, 6-4, 188
AK Okereke, F, 6-7, 245
Chase Ross, G, 6-5, 210
Zhaire Smith, G, 6-4, 205
Peter Suder, G, 6-5, 215
Adou Thiero, F, 6-7, 234
Anton Watson, F, 6-8, 225
Jacari White, G, 6-3, 180
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U.S. men’s national team star Folarin Balogun received a red card in the second half of their Round of 32 World Cup matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night.
Balogun was making a challenge on a ball when he stepped on an opposing player’s leg.
The U.S. men’s national team is down to 10 players for the rest of the match. If the U.S. holds their 1-0 lead, Balogun will have to miss the Round of 16 game.
Balogun scored for the U.S. in the first half.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
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