Golf Duel on the Lough:Pádraig Harrington had to play second fiddle to the younger Rory McIlroy at today's "Duel on the Lough" exhibition match to mark the official opening of the Nick Faldo-designed course at the five-star Lough Erne resort outside Enniskillen.

Organisers had estimated crowds of up to 4,000 coming through the gates to see Ireland’s two best players, but such is their draw, over 7,000 landed in to see their idols go head-to-head.

From the outset there was much joking and jibing between the pair but in the end, when the golf did the talking, McIlroy gained the bragging rights after shooting the new official course record - a bogey-free 68 compared to Harrington’s 70.

At the start of the back nine it appeared McIlroy was going to run away with the contest after Harrington found the water at the 10th and 11th to add to his opening tee shot which also found a hazard.

After the three-time major winner took double-bogey at the 11th he trailied McIlroy, who was three-under, by five shots. However, the 37-year-old refused to lie down and hit back against the 20-year-old with four birdies in the next six holes.

But it was all in vain as McIlroy, Lough Erne’s touring professional, ran out a two shot winner to lift the $200,000 (€140,000) winner’s cheque, while Harrington had to settle for $100,000 (€70,000).

The contest was certainly an exhibition match but the there was an edge the contest as neither player wanted to lie down and accept defeat by the other. Afterwards McIlroy heaped praise on his opponent when asked if this made him a better player than Harrington?

“Not really,” replied McIlroy. “I don’t have three majors. I’m nowhere near his league.”

McIlroy was delighted to be back playing in front of home crowds for the first time as a professional.

“It’s my first time to play golf in Northern Ireland as a professional and it was great to se so many people from the first tee to the 18th green . . . last week (at Turnberry) was such a demanding week, it was great to play semi-relaxed but trying to beat one another,” he said.

Actor Jimmy Nesbitt was on hand to act as Master of Ceremony and he certainly helped entertain the crowds around the course.