The top seed slipped to a shock loss when he was beaten by number 52 ranked Bernd Wiesberger of Austria at the Austin Country Club yesterday.

It meant only a win today against Canada's Adam Hadwin would keep his hopes alive but he slipped to a 4&3 reverse in Group One.

Only the winners of all 16 groups will advance to knock-out play so former US Open champion Johnson is now out of contention.

The man he beat in last year's final, Jon Rahm, has also exited with the world number three Spaniard beaten 1 up by American Chez Reavie.

Rahm only halved his game with another American in Keegan Bradley yesterday and can no longer progress.

Northern Ireland's four-time major winner Rory McIlroy did manage to recover from yesterday's opening defeat as he beat Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela 2&1.

It means he could progress if he sees off American Brian Harman in his final Group Six game tomorrow.

Former world number one Jordan Speith of the United States faces a winner-takes-all clash with compatriot Patrick Reed tomorrow after both players made it two wins from two in Group Four.

Speith defeated China's Li Haotong 4&2 and Reed was a 2 up winner over South Africa's Charl Schwartzel. 

Reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia is in the same position as Speith and Reed in Group Seven.

He defeated South Africa's Dylan Frittelli 2 up but must now face American Xander Schauffele who is also unbeaten for a place in the next round tomorrow.

Schauffele came through against India's Shubhankar Sharma 2&1.

The knock-out phase is due to begin on Saturday (March 24) after the last group games tomorrow.

This is the second WGC event following on from American Phil Mickelson's victory at the WGC Mexico Championship last month.

Mickelson has one win and one defeat in Group 14 with qualification out of his hands.

Action will conclude on Sunday (March 25).