Master takes on young pretender

THE master will meet the young pretender today when triple major champion Pádraig Harrington takes on young gun Rory McIlroy in the Lough Erne Challenge.

But there will be more at stake than winning the lion’s share of the $300,000 (€211,000) prize fund on offer at the “Duel on the Lough” – a made-for-TV showdown to mark the official opening of the Nick Faldo-designed course near Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh. Pride and bragging rights will be incentive enough.

Less than 12 months ago, Harrington was ranked third in the world following his third major championship victory at Oakland Hills as McIlroy was battling to emerge from the first big confidence crisis of his fledgling professional career.