Grayson Murray's childhood friend reveals last conversation he had with golf star before his tragic suicide at 30

Grayson Murray was on the minds of Korn Ferry players as that tour returned to his native North Carolina this week following the PGA golfer's tragic suicide at age 30.

'Every time I step on the property, it brings back what we used to do when we were in high school and when we were both out here,' Carter Jenkins, Murray's long-time friend and rival told North Carolina-based reporter Chip Alexander at this week's tournament at the Raleigh Country Club.

Jenkins and Murray were teammates at nearby Leesville Road High School before becoming professionals, and although the latter graduated to the more prestigious PGA Tour, the two remained friends.

It was only a few weeks ago that the pair crossed paths at Raleigh's Wildwood Green Golf Club, where they both once worked. The conversation itself wasn't memorable, except for the fact that it would be the last one they would ever have before Murray took his life in Texas last week during the Charles Schwab Challenge.

'I asked him about the Masters and the U.S. Open he was going to be in and how he was playing,' Jenkins said. 'It was just a friendly, casual conversation, the usual back and forth. I didn't expect it to be the last.'

Jenkins pulled out of the event in Fort Worth on Friday while claiming he was feeling unwell. The following day, the PGA Tour announced his passing.

Murray's parents have since confirmed that he took his own life. He had been open during his playing career about his battle with depression.

'When I first got the news, I didn't really know what to think,' Jenkins said. 'It was a little bit of an outer-body experience more than anything else. I sat there for about five minutes, didn't really know how to react to it.

'As the days have gone on, it's gotten more and more real, which makes it harder and harder. Especially being home this week at Raleigh Country Club.'

'It makes it harder to wrap your head around the fact he's not here any longer. You have to accept that.

'He left a mark here in Raleigh everyone will remember, that's for sure. He will be sorely missed, but I know he's at peace with himself now.'

Jenkins described Murray as someone who could be combative, refusing to back down from his beliefs, while also showing an ability to be supportive and understanding.

'For as well-documented as his troubles have been, I think the positive impact he had on people when he was around them, the passion he had for the game that he loved, and that was all he ever wanted to do, leaves a bigger mark.

'Because everyone has troubles. Everyone has demons. He took his demons and was still able to have a phenomenal career and a phenomenal life with them.

'He was so comfortable in being who he was and made everyone else around him better for that.'