Harrington saw victory ambitions disappear at the 18th

Irish duo Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley had to settle for a half point after being pinned back by Chad Campbell and Zach Johnson.

Harrington's errant drive on the 18th saw them lose a one-hole advantage and a dream result for the home crowd.

The European pair were two up with four to play in the opening Ryder Cup foursomes match, but their opponents finished with three successive birdies.

Harrington said: "I'm disappointed, but the boys finished well."

Interview: Europe's Paul McGinley

The US team made a great start with a birdie at the first to go ahead.

But Harrington levelled at the third with a 12-foot birdie putt following an excellent drive from McGinley.

And the partnership, revelling in their noisy backing, were in front for much of the contest after going ahead for the first time at the sixth.

The teams were level at the turn after Europe won the sixth and the USA responded with a birdie at the ninth.

The US certainly deserved a half Europe's Padraig Harrington

Europe went ahead with a par four at the 11th after Johnson drove into a bunker from the tee.

An awful putt from Johnson at the 15th allowed Harrington to extend Europe's lead with a par from five feet.

But the rookie made amends at the 16th by playing a beautiful approach to the tee before slotting in from close-range to win the hole.

McGinley, who holed the winning putt at The Belfry in 2002, has been out of form going into the tournament, but nervelessly sealed a 10-footer at the penultimate hole.

It fired hopes of a boisterous celebration in front of the home crowd, but Campbell and Johnson seized on Harrington's mistake from the tee to level the tie.

"They certainly deserved a half, even though we felt a little bit disappointed," added Harrington.