The economic crisis has scuppered Rory McIlroy's hopes of winning the Northern Ireland Masters at Lough Erne next year.

Lough Erne ResortMcIlroy was hoping to get the chance to grab a European Tour win at the spectacular County Fermanagh resort he represents at its touring professional.

But attempts by promoters International Sports Management to secure funding from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board appear to have failed.

Padraig Harrington might have fallen to the young prince but he still proved he is the king of hearts at Lough Erne yesterday.

Lough Erne Golf ResortThe Dubliner was outgunned by Rory McIlroy in the "Duel on the Lough" - losing 68-70 to the Holywood hotshot in a made for TV exhibition that will be seen in 300 million homes around the world.

But the triple major winning superstar showed that there is more to him that just great golf when he broke down in tears on the 18th green when he was introduced to 12 year old Charlie Gannon, a once promising young golfer whose body has been ravaged by the effects of meningitis.

The king will meet the young pretender today when triple major champion Padraig Harrington takes on young gun Rory McIlroy in the Lough Erne Challenge.

Lough ErneBut there will be a lot 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.

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

Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington will battle head to head to mark the official opening of the spectacular Lough Erne Resort on July 22.

But before Ireland’s big two clash in County Fermanagh, they are determined to keep Irish sports fans in celebration mode after Saturday’s Grand Slam rugby victory and Bernard Dunne’s amazing world title triumph.