By Tony Jimenez

VIRGINIA WATER, England, Sep 15 (Reuters) Michael Campbell and Colin Montgomerie, the only former winners left in the field, were involved in a rousing quarter-final at the World Match Play Championship today.

New Zealander Campbell, the title holder, raced four up through six holes at Wentworth thanks to two birdies and an eagle at the fourth where he rolled in a massive 40-foot putt.

Montgomerie then showed the fighting spirit Europe will be relying on heavily in next week's Ryder Cup by clawing his way back to all square at the halfway stage of their 36-hole encounter.

The 1999 World Match Play champion rammed in birdie putts of 15 and three feet for birdies at the seventh and eighth before two more birdies at the 14th and 16th brought him level.

American Shaun Micheel, buoyed by his shock 4&3 victory over world number one Tiger Woods in the opening round, produced the best golf of the morning to go five up on Briton Luke Donald after 18 holes.

Micheel claimed four birdies in a four-under-par outward half of 31. The former US PGA champion also picked up four birdies coming home as he continued to pepper the flagsticks with a succession of pinpoint approach shots.

Swede Robert Karlsson, who will make his Ryder Cup debut at the K Club in Ireland, was one up at lunch on Argentina's Angel Cabrera while Canadian left-hander Mike Weir and Briton Paul Casey were all square.

The eight players are chasing the richest first prize in golf, one million pounds (1.89 million dollars).

Reuters DH RS1718