It’s been a rough weekend for Ireland’s top two golfers Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington.

While one has reportedly split from his girlfriend, the other has been forced to deny claims of severe financial misfortune.

According to newspaper reports, Co Down golf sensation Rory McIlroy has decided to take a break from his teenage sweetheart.

The 20-year-old — who is ranked number 18 in the world — allegedly told his girlfriend of four years Holly Sweeney that his schedule was getting in the way of their romance. It is understood Rory broke the news to Holly when he was back home in Holywood just over a week ago.

A close friend of Rory’s told the News of the World: “They weren’t getting to spend a lot of time together, so Rory thought it was best that they take a break.”

He added: “There is a lot of time spent apart while he’s away on tour and that puts a lot of pressure on a young couple. It was a difficult decision for him to make, but too hard on them to continue.”

Rory has in the past spoken to the Press of his fondness for Holly who also went to Sullivan Upper School — and how his phone bills soared after turning professional.

“Holly handles it (the attention) really well,” he said.

“At the start she didn't really know what to think about it, but now whenever I'm home the time we spend together is even better.

“It's quality time, which is good in a way because we get to talk more.

“We do miss each other when I'm away.

“My phone bills are very high and I carry a picture of her in my wallet.”

Meanwhile, former Open champion Padraig Harrington, the world’s number seven, has hit out at claims that he suffered major losses in the global markets.

His early dip in form prompted speculation that he was one of the victims of jailed fraudster Bernie Madoff and that he had lost millions in the Wall Street slump.

However in an interview with the Sunday Independent, the 37-year-old said although he hadn’t had any major losses, he was “not immune” from the repercussions of the global recession.

“Nasty things have been said about me and I really don’t want to lend credence to them,” he said.

“For instance, one of the tabloids wanted to know if it was true that I had lost €20m in investments with Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford (an indicted US financier). They were obviously very keen to cover all the bases.

“The answer is that I haven’t lost greatly in any ventures. I will not suggest that I was immune from everything, but nothing has happened that has had any material effect on me, financially.”