European Tour: Sergio Garcia and his artful lodger Luke Donald both began the Ryder Cup qualifying campaign with five under par rounds of 66 in Switzerland yesterday.

The top two players in the Omega European Masters - foursomes partners in last September's record-breaking cup victory in Detroit - go into the second round just a stroke behind joint leaders David Carter, Garry Houston and Jarmo Sandelin.

As he did last year, when he won by five, Donald is staying at the Spaniard's home close to the Crans-sur-Sierre course.

"We really enjoy each other's company," commented Garcia after finishing with a 15-foot par-saving putt. "Although we want to beat each other in everything we do - and there's a lot of competitiveness there - we like each other."

There is only one area in which he concedes defeat to the Englishman without a battle. Donald studied art at college in Chicago and Garcia does not list painting amongst his many talents.

Donald, as the guest, was careful not to make any noise when he got up early for his 8.30am start.

But Garcia, joint third 12 months ago, was making no promises about being just as thoughtful when they switched.

"The house is going to be coming down," he joked. "I'll drop a couple of plates in the kitchen or something." When the world number six birdied five of his first seven holes - impressive stuff in front of playing partner and next year's captain Ian Woosnam - he threatened to leave Donald and the rest trailing in his wake.

But he then three-putted the 10th and his only gain after that was a birdie at the long 15th.

Earlier Donald had grabbed seven birdies, but also threw in bogeys at the 17th (his eighth) and fourth.

A year ago he had nothing worse than a 67 on his debut in the event and he commented: "The course seems to suit my game. I enjoy this place.

"You have to control the distance of your shots into the green. I'm not thinking about Ryder Cup points yet, although it would be nice to get off to a good start."

Best of the Irish were Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane who both went around three under par for a solid start. Stephen Browne shot 71 (level), Gary Murphy 72 while Philip Walton had a 79. The South African-based Shaun Stapleton had a 77. Carter, Houston and Sandelin all have a more immediate priority than facing the Americans - saving their European tour careers.

They stand 121st, 126th and 146th on the Order of Merit respectively and only six tournaments remain for them to climb into the top 115 and thus avoid a return to the dreaded qualifying school.

It is only six years ago that Sandelin, the one with the most to do, was earning a Ryder Cup debut in Boston and even at 38 he still has not given up hope of playing again.

"That's my dream - and the next time, if I get the chance, I want to have the trust of the captain and the players to play more than once," he said in a reference to the fact that he, Andrew Coltart and Jean Van de Velde were kept on the sidelines until the singles.

"I've been struggling for three or four years, but I am on a physical training programme and finally I got some results."

Carter, a World Cup winner with Nick Faldo in 1988 and Irish Open champion that same season, had to regain his card at the school two years ago and is determined not to have to go through the ordeal again.

"I've had four or five years where I've not been where I want to be, but I am a fighter. You have to look at yourself and see what you have to do to get better.

"It's not that I haven't worked hard, but I think I just stood still and people overtook me. It's getting more and more competitive out here."

After an horrendous 85, the worst score of his career, at Gleneagles last month Carter was put in touch with coach Matt Belsham and has been surprised by how quickly things have changed.

"I shot 65 last week as well and it's a sign of something happening. More of the same please!"

For 34-year-old Houston, who has already paid 10 visits to the school, it was the lowest score of his tour career and it was a case of "Houston, the eagles have landed".

Only one under at the turn the former Welsh amateur champion hit a three-iron to 12 feet for a three at the 543-yard first, then saw his driver to the 330-yard seventh pull up just six feet from the flag.

Houston said: "I've been pretty steady all year without having a very low one and getting into the top 10.

"I think everybody worries about their card - it's next year's employment.

"But you have to take care of your own game and just keep going.

"You go through periods of fretting, but when you play all right it's not quite as stressful.

"This is a gorgeous place to play golf, but you can't afford to stare at the scenery. There are too many things that can come up and bite you. You have to concentrate all the time."

Another Swede, Peter Hedblom, is alongside Donald and Garcia in fourth place and Paul Casey would have been on the same mark but for a closing bogey.

Nevertheless, after the worst slump of his career, a 67 represented Casey's best round since he won the TCL Classic in China in March.