In 31 previous matches at the event Faldo had never lost heavier than five and three but from the moment he fluffed a chip into a bunker at the first and bogeyed the opening three holes he was in deep trouble.

Harrington was credited with a nine under par 63 in the morning round, but it was a nominal figure really because he did not even have to putt on three of the holes.

By taking the match to the back nine - just - he avoided the ultimate humiliation of suffering the worst ever defeat in the tournament.

Faldo did nothing to suggest he has returned to form.

Even when he birdied the 501-yard fourth it was a let-down. He had struck a superb five-wood to five feet on the par five, but missed the eagle chance and only halved the hole.

Harrington had not even needed to putt on the first two holes and he had the same luxury at the sixth when Faldo bogeyed again, failing to get out of a greenside bunker this time.

Things failed to improve after the interval at which point he was six holes down. Harrington won three of the opening nine holes and halved the 10th to seal victory.