Losing To Darren Was An Honour

Sep 14 2008

ZACH JOHNSON hates losing. Yet when he looks back on his part in America's last Ryder Cup thumping he can only feel genuine happiness for Europe's hero Darren Clarke.

Johnson was the forgotten man on the KClub's 16th green as Clarke holed out to win their singles match - then shed a river of tears.

Johnson still looks back on that defining moment of the 2006 match with an awe-struck pride for Clarke, who bravely played just six weeks after the death of his wife Heather.

This time both men will miss the re-match having been snubbed in their captains' wild card picks.

But Johnson (right) will never forget the day Clarke beat him.

He said: "While losing the match stung, how could I feel sorry for myself when I saw the emotion of Darren and the fans?

"You can't put into words what he did. To even come out and play after what happened is amazing but to win all three of his games was a superhuman effort.

"So while I was disappointed to lose my match and that our team took such a beating I couldn't help but feel great for Darren."