The first two matches on the West Course brought more than surprise -- Bob May, the underdog in his match against Padraig Harrington, came out of the blocks like an Olympic sprinter before being hauled back by his Irish opponent, and in his match against Darren Clarke, Nick Faldo showed that in match play, there is no substitute for experience.
PADRAIG HARRINGTON VS BOB MAY
Eighth seed Harrington, a semi-finalist last year, did not know what hit him on the front nine. May, who gave Tiger Woods such a run for his money in the US PGA Championship in August before finishing second, scorched to the turn in 30, five under par, including a run of five birdies in six holes from the fourth.
By the time he finished his hot streak on the ninth, May, who has rocketed up the world rankings since his victory in the British Masters last year, was three up as Harrington struggled to keep in touch.
However, the dogged Dubliner eventually found his form as the pair started for home. He reduced the leeway on the 10th and fought his way back to all square by the time he won the 13th with a par four to May's bogey. Harrington moved into the lead for the first time on the 15th to set up a gripping afternoon round.
DARREN CLARKE v NICK FALDO
Faldo, the people's favourite, was delighted when he received the invitation to play in his first World Match Play Championship for the first time since 1994, but not even he could have wished to have made a better fist of his match against the world No 11.
Faldo, at 43 the oldest man in the field, conceded before the match that he would be very much the second favourite in his match against the big-hitting Ulsterman. Clarke has had matchplay victories over the likes of Tiger Woods, David Duval and Hal Sutton this year, and was expected to have too big a game for the veteran Englishman.
It did not turn out that way; far from it. Faldo, urged on by a huge gallery on a bright, typically crisp Wentworth autumn day, responded by going one up on the fourth and was always in front after that. He extended his lead with a birdie three on the seventh and although Clarke pulled the lead back to one on the ninth, Faldo won the 14th and 16th to go into lunch three up.
