Faldo and Rose add to Ryder strength

The strength of Europe's Ryder Cup challenge shows no sign of being diminished judging by the performances of Nick Faldo and Justin Rose in the Cisco World Match Play Championship.

Faldo, the 45-year-old veteran of 11 Cup appearances, and Rose, whose only experience of the competition is watching from the galleries, have both stated their intention to qualify for the team that will defend the trophy against the United States in
2004.

If they succeed in that aim, and manage to repeat the gritty determination demonstrated in two enthralling first round matches over Wentworth's West Course yesterday, it will take something special to loosen Europe's grip on the Cup.

Faldo, who has won two Match Play titles, was three down after 23 holes against Michael Campbell of New Zealand. He got it back to all-square after 31 and then, having lost the next two holes, Faldo won the last two to take the tie into extra time.

In fact, Faldo and Campbell played for nine hours and five minutes before bad light forced them to come back this morning. Their extra-holes tally of six was the longest in the 39-year history of the tournament, and Faldo said: "That was an honest day's work at the office."

The winner was set to play defending champion Ian Woosnam in the quarter-finals.

Rose lost his tie with former champion Vijay Singh, but only after pushing the Fijian all the way to the last hole after trailing by three after 25 of the 36 holes.

Not even born when Faldo made his Ryder Cup debut in 1977, 22-year-old Rose said: "I seem to really enjoy the situation when it gets to its toughest."

Singh, was playing South Africa's Retief Goosen in the quarter-finals, while Colin Montgomerie earned a quarter-final against Open champion Ernie Els after beating American Fred Funk 3 and 2.

Padraig Harrington beat Canada's Mike Weir 4 and 3 to set up a quarter-final with Sergio Garcia.