Andy Murray says Rory McIlroy is entitled to feel “frustrated and a bit let down” by golf’s shock merger – and insisted he would never play in Saudi Arabia.
The British star has previously turned down invites to play exhibition tennis events there due to the nation’s human rights record.
And after making hard work yesterday of winning through to the Surbiton Trophy quarter-finals, against an opponent new to grass, he made it clear his position remains unchanged.
Read more: Rory McIlroy breaks silence on golf's shock merger and confirms LIV Golf stance
“I don’t genuinely know the golf details,” said the two-time Wimbledon champion. “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.
"There’s been lots of different sporting events go there over the last few years – a lot of major boxing fights, obviously the golf, a Formula One race.
“I would imagine it will only be a matter of time before we start seeing tennis tournaments there. But I wouldn’t play, no.”
McIlroy broke his silence yesterday, admitting he felt like a “sacrificial lamb” and still “hated” LIV Golf as he responded to the shock declaration of peace in golf’s civil war.
McIlroy, whose previously close friendship with Sergio Garcia broke down after the Spaniard joined LIV, said: “It’s hard for me to not sit up here and feel somewhat like a sacrificial lamb and feeling like I’ve put myself out there and this is what happens.
“Removing myself from the situation, I see how this is better for the game of golf, there’s no denying it.”
McIlroy, who said he was never offered any money to join LIV, was asked if those who did turn down massive offers should be compensated.
The world number three said: “The simple answer is yes. The complex answer is how does that happen?
“That’s all up in the air at the minute. For me as an individual, there’s just going to have to be conversations that are had.”
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