The Loop

Saga of PGA player Billy Hurley's father comes to tragic end

August 13, 2015

HAVEN, Wis. -- After seemingly coming to a happy end, the saga of Billy Hurley's father took a tragic and final turn Thursday morning.

In July, Billy's dad, Willard Hurley, went missing from his family in Leesburg, Va. At the Quicken Loans National two weeks ago near his hometown, Hurley made an emotional request to the media and public to help his family locate his father.

Days after Billy's announcement, the Leesburg police department said the 61-year-old Hurley had been found in northeast Texas library watching the Quicken Loans National online.

Unfortunately, on Thursday morning at the PGA Championship, it was announced the elder Hurley had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Billy Hurley has released the following statement:

"I want to thank the PGA Tour, the greater golf media and all those who provided their support, prayers and encouragement. The PGA Tour community has always taken great care of us, and my family and I are are very grateful for that. As soon as I am able, I will return to golf and will provide further comment."

Hurley, who is not playing in the PGA Championship, finished T-25 at last week's Barracuda Championship. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Persian Gulf from 2007 to 2009 before beginning his golf career.