Harrington VS McIlroy

Harrington VS McIlroy

Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy went head-to-head on Wednesday in a $300,000 match to mark the opening of the Lough Erne Golf Resort in Northern Ireland.

The pair contested a strokeplay match - billed as the Lough Erne Challenge - and it was McIlroy who came out on top, the world number 26 winning by two shots.

Harrington was nevertheless quick to sing the praises of the Nick Faldo-designed course, which is set in the Fermanagh lakelands and features water on 14 holes.

"Lough Erne I think is truly designed into the golf course and I'm very impressed with the fact that you have a number of tees and greens immediately in front of the clubhouse...which led to a great atmosphere on the 17th and 18th," said three-time major winner Harrington.

"It leads to a stadium finish - I think that's got to be one of the key features."

Meanwhile, only days after their struggles in the Open - McIlroy finishing in a tie for 47th place at Turnberry, four shots ahead of Harrington - the winner was quick to sing the praises of his beaten opponent.

"Apart from Tiger Woods he has won the most majors in the last 10 years," McIlroy said. "So he's one of the best players in the world and the way he handles his business...he handles everything so well - he's the ultimate professional and he's someone that I definitely look up to."

| Golf Pros |        | Golf News |