Playing partners Hal Sutton and Frank Lickliter were both missing through injury as the British star put in an impressive second round showing to finish on 2-under-par before the rain stopped him in his tracks.

With 16 holes gone, Faldo was 5-under for the day and showed he had lost none of the old touch which had won him three previous Masters titles.

After a first round 75, the British star grabbed birdies at four of the first five holes in a storming start and despite a lull, birdies at the 13th and 15th left him well-placed to make the final two rounds.

But it wasn't a good day for his former Ryder Cup team-mates with Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle all tumbling out with desperate rounds.

Ballesteros finished on 12-over, Welsham Ian Woosnam on 11-over and Sandy Lyle on 10-over while Paul Lawrie was another to miss the cut returning a 74 for 5-over.

They could be joined by Lee Westwood, who has to wait to see if his 3-over total will help him survive with only the top 44 and ties making it.

Irishman Darren Clarke is level, Paul McGinley on 1-over with five to play and Colin Montgomerie at 3-over after 11 holes.