Europe regains Ryder Cup, no thanks to Zach Johnson

Zach Johnson of Cedar Rapids helped keep hope alive for the U.S. team in the final day of the Ryder Cup Monday, but the Americans lost to team Europe, 14.5-13.5.

Johnson beat Padraig Harrington, 3 and 2, Monday to knot the match at 13.5. But Graeme McDowell won the day's final match, over American Hunter Mahan, and the Cup was Europe's.

Johnson, who had a 2-1 record in this Ryder Cup, had seven birdies and just one bogey in his 16 holes. He birdied the first two holes to go 2-up. Harrington, a three-time majors winner, battled back to tie the match after five holes, but Johnson birdied five of the next eight holes to go 5-up with five holes left. Harrington won the 14th and 15th holes before they halved the 16th, giving Johnson the win.

Here are some Tweets about Johnson Monday morning:

@rreiterman: Zach Johnson RT @pgatour_brianw Rory McIlroy...RT @si_damonhack: So who wins more majors in 2011? Tiger Woods or Rickie Fowler?

@RyanMcGeeESPN: The US may lose the Ryder Cup, but I loved watching mild-mannered aw shucks Bible-toting Zach Johnson turn into the Terminator.

@nothreeputt I demand a drugs test for Zach Johnson.

@RichardCOliver: Zach Johnson, as we in San Antonio know all too well, is a putting fool.

@matthewsavides: Tiger Woods has been in amazing form. So has Zach Johnson.

@JoshRoberts6: For captains picks though, you gotta say Z Johnson and T Woods have played damn well today...