Tour News

Billy Hurley III writes a letter to his father who committed suicide

Published

9 years ago

Feb 14, 2017

Sometimes, golf is more important than numbers on a scorecard. For the Hurley family in particular, the sport helped form a special bond between a father and son that now lives on through written word.

In 2015, Williard “Bill” Hurley Jr. — father of PGA Tour player Billy Hurley — died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after mysteriously going missing the month before. You can read more about it here.

Today, on Valentines Day in 2017, Hurley III published a letter entitled “To My Dad” on the Players Tribune. In it, he celebrates his father’s life through his eyes and discusses their relationship, which was heavily tied through the sport of golf. Hurley III also describes the final weeks of his relationship with his father and the situations surrounding the public incidents.

“I miss you, Dad,” Hurley III writes. “I love you.

And one final thing I need you to know: I forgive you.”

Whether you’re a golfer, father, mother, daughter or son, we recommend that everyone read this heartfelt tribute. See what GolfWRX members are saying about Hurley’s letter in our forums.

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10 Comments

Vic

Mar 12, 2017 at 7:19 am

Wow. That was powerful. I have a new favorite PGA Tour player. I will always root for him on and off the golf course.

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Dave

Feb 15, 2017 at 10:37 pm

So I read the letter, still don’t know why his dad went AWOL

Reply Report comment
Messico 9

Feb 15, 2017 at 3:06 pm

Dude needs to get his testosterone checked

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- alexdub
  
  Feb 15, 2017 at 6:36 pm
  
  I honestly feel bad that experiences in your life have led you to this point. The sad thing is, you don’t even realize it.
  
  Reply Report comment
- QC
  
  Feb 18, 2017 at 10:04 am
  
  Your going to have a tough time in life if this is what comes to mind when you read this.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mike Honcho

Feb 15, 2017 at 9:15 am

BH3 in one word: character. As in has it.

Reply Report comment
- mitch
  
  Feb 15, 2017 at 10:04 am
  
  couldn’t agree more! And what a cool last name you got too!
  
  Reply Report comment
Mike Honcho

Feb 15, 2017 at 9:12 am

Eldrick Woods and John Daly should give BH3 a call for help, the man defines: dignity, service and class.

Reply Report comment
KJ

Feb 14, 2017 at 8:14 pm

Really pulling for BH III !! What an incredible letter and tribute to his father.

Reply Report comment
- Phil
  
  Feb 15, 2017 at 7:16 pm
  
  amen
  
  Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.