Golf

This Is The Saddest Player Backstory At The U.S. Open

With the final day of the US Open falling on Father’s Day, you can expect your fair share of dad-related human interest stories to emerge about whoever is in contention.

If Christo Greyling is still playing on Sunday (he’s currently at +3, and will most likely make the cut), get ready. His Father’s Day story will not be a walk in the park.

Iaan Greyling, depressed over financial problems and recently divorced, took his life in October 2009 — a decision that devastated a golfer who already had suffered far too many setbacks.

Christo was the last family member to see his dad alive; the two had dinner together, during which Christo encouraged his father to start coming to the gym with him and get in shape. A short time later, Iaan committed suicide.

According to Christo’s brother, Derick Greyling, Christo took his dad’s death harder than anyone in the family. After all, Iaan had relocated the family to Florida from South Africa when Christo was a teenager in an effort to cultivate his son’s golf game.

Said Derick:

“Christo put a lot of guilt on himself because he felt like, ‘Maybe if I had made it sooner, all those financial problems could have been alleviated.’”

Christo had also faced his own personal demons; while attending the University of Georgia on a golf scholarship, he started taking a prescription medication to combat his acne, which he believes led to severe depression. He saw his golf game deteriorate, and at the suggestion of his coach took a break from the sport, which didn’t help.

It was a few years ago that Iaan Greyling started having financial problems, which contributed to his decision to end his life. It took the family more than a year to recover, but Christo’s confidence has finally returned, and he’s earned a spot in the U.S. Open field.

According to Derick:

“He sees a bigger purpose to golf now. He would love to stand on the podium on Sunday and maybe preventing a couple of fathers from doing that to their own family.”

So, yes, if you didn’t have anyone to pull for in the US Open, now you do.