On Friday evening, with Chad Campbell, he pulled a half out of the bag against Harrington and Paul McGinley with a birdie-birdie-birdie finish and yesterday morning, Johnson continued his purple run.

Some typically gritty play from Harrington pulled Europe back into the game but his birdies on 15 and 16 weren't enough. Johnson had already inflicted too many flesh wounds and on 17, he fittingly provided the final body blow with a beautiful chip in from just off the green. When Saturday's fourballs were announced, this US pairing raised a few eyebrows. While nobody should have worried about Johnson, Verplank was a different story. He never birdied, contributed nothing and but for the brilliance of Johnson, Europe would have another point.

From the start, Johnson was awesome. He lead out with four birdies in five holes, but Europe, with by far the bigger hitters, weren't rattled.

Stenson got his only birdie on the second, Harrington birdied four and five but frustratingly for Europe, Johnson matched them on each occasion.

Crucially, he repeated the trick on the 15th. With the USA now leading by two, Harrington chipped in from just off the green. Johnson had a 20-foot putt to halve the hole. Pressure on. He crashed it in. Johnson's putting was simply on fire. His driving and approach play weren't too far behind. Lehman will look to him today to secure another much needed American point.

His chip on 17 meant Johnson finished with seven birdies. He also gave us the best quality golf so far. A new Ryder Cup reputation is minted.

KEY MOMENTS Best shot Johnson's chip-in on 17 to win the hole and close out the game. Just when Europe looked like clawing their way back, Johnson showed yet another deft touch from around the green.

Worst shot Henrik Stenson's miss from two feet on the short eighth.

A par would have halved the hole, but the ball slipped wide and the Americans regained the lead.

Turning point It arrived at the 10th.

Johnson v Harrington, two putts from 15 feet. Johnson rolled his in; Harrington, just on the apron, slid his by. USA up by two.

Man of the match Zach Johnson (right). By a mile