Coach Ted Kiegiel, who knew Grayson Murray since the the golfer was 8 years old and developed a relationship with him that lasted more than two decades, was “absolutely numb and crushed” after Murray died by suicide Saturday.

“He was family…,” Kiegiel wrote in an X post on Sunday. “He was more than family… We were kindred spirits – sharing so many victorious ‘life’ moments, while suffering through down turns that challenged his very essence… Leaning on each other, finding strength in each other… Having spent countless hours over 20+ years – we knew each other very well…”

Murray, who was 30 years old, grew up in Raleigh, N.C., and his father, Eric, arranged a golf lesson with Kiegiel — the director of golf at Carolina Country Club — and discovered the person that eventually became Murray’s first swing coach, according to ABC News.

He “stood among the best in the game,” Kiegiel wrote, and the coach’s X page is filled with posts and reposts celebrating Murray’s accomplishments — his Sony Open win on an “epic 39 foot birdie putt” earlier this year, the U.S. Open sectional qualifying in 2022 and when Murray won the Barbasol Championship in 2017 as a 22-year-old rookie.

“As chance would have it, that meeting would go on to forge a life long journey for us…,” Kiegiel wrote.

Murray, who battled alcoholism and depression, withdrew from the Charles Scwab Challenge on Friday with an illness.

Eric and Murray’s mother, Terry, revealed the cause of death in a statement Sunday, while adding that it has been a “nightmare” for them to come to terms with Murray’s death.

And across the past two days, tributes to Murray have filled social media posts and interviews at Colonial, with Jay Green, Murray’s caddie, telling the Golf Channel that he would “truly do anything for anyone.”

Jim Nantz delivered an emotional message on the CBS broadcast in the immediate aftermath of Murray’s death being announced, and Peter Malnati, who played in Murray’s group during the opening two rounds of the Charles Schwab Challenge, teared up during an interview with the network and talked about how “we’re all just humans” despite the competitiveness of golf — and how “it’s just a really hard day.” 

Golfers at the tournament wore black and red ribbons Sunday in honor of the Hurricanes — the NHL team located in Murray’s hometown — and Murray’s tradition of wearing those colors during final rounds.

Kiegiel’s tribute Sunday emphasized the “heart of a Lion” that Murray possessed, the love and kindness that defined him and how he “burned bright for the 30 years he gave us.”

“It was my honor to serve as your coach and mentor…,” Kiegiel wrote. “I will miss you so, so very much and will carry your memory all of my days…”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.