Andy Murray leaps to defence of "sacrificial lamb" Rory McIlroy

Andy Murray has come to the defence of Rory McIlroy amid the bombshell merger news from earlier this week.

On Tuesday, the PGA Tour stunned the sports world as it announced that along with the DP World Tour, they would be joining forces with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which provides the financial backing of LIV Golf.

This came as a surprise to most, as much of the past year and a half of men's golf has been filled with hostilities and lawsuits between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan had suspended players who joined the rival circuit, but now it appears will be working directly with the PIF.

McIlroy, 34, has been outspoken against LIV and loyal to Monahan and the PGA Tour since the get-go.

He told reporters that he, too, only found out about the new merger the day the news was released.

During a press conference on Wednesday ahead of this week's RBC Canadian Open, McIlroy also admitted to feeling like a "sacrificial lamb" in the entire situation over the past few years.

And now, tennis star Murray has come to McIlroy's defence.

On Wednesday, Murray advanced to the quarter-finals of the Surbiton Trophy. Following it, the two-time Wimbledon winner spoke to the media on the situation:

“I don’t genuinely know the details,” said Murray. “But if I was one of the golfers who had stuck with the PGA I’d probably be pretty frustrated and feel a bit let down."

He added:

On Thursday, McIlroy began his title defense of the Canadian Open in Toronto while also seeking his third straight win at the tournament.

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