The former US Open champion is back in action after overcoming wrist and hip injuries but was unable to mark his return with a victory at the Austin Country Club.

Bland went toe-to-toe with DeChambeau, drawing the final eight holes of the match to secure a tie.

DeChambeau had the chance to win it at the last hole but pushed his putt narrowly wide in the first Group Nine match.

"We didn't play our best, obviously," DeChambeau said.

"Hit some wayward shots, just concerned - just more or less cautious, very cautious.

"There were some pretty good wayward shots because of that, and that probably cost me quite a bit, and then I three-putted a few times.

"I haven't practiced the way I should have on the putting green for speed, and I'll work on that after."

American Talor Gooch has taken the early lead in Group Nine as he defeated former world number one Lee Westwood of England by 3 and 2.

It was one of 16 groups to get underway with the winners of each after three days of matches advancing to the knockout phase.

World number one Jon Rahm of Spain got his campaign off to a winning start as he beat Sebastián Muñoz of Colombia by 4 and 2, while the other Group One match saw Cameron Young defeat Patrick Reed by one stroke in an all-American clash.

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa of the US claimed a 2 and 1 win over Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and Spain’s Sergio Garcia downed American Jason Kokrak by 4 and 3.

There were victories for American Will Zalatoris and Viktor Hovland of Norway in Group Three, defeating Cameron Tringale of the US and Sepp Straka of Austria respectively.

In Group Four, Ireland’s Séamus Power triumphed by 5 and 4 against Im Sung-jae of South Korea, while nothing could separate world number four Patrick Cantlay and Keith Mitchell in another all-American match in Texas.

World number five Scottie Scheffler of the US beat England’s Ian Poulter 2 and 1 and an all-English battle resulted in a victory for Matt Fitzpatrick over Tommy Fleetwood in Group Five.

There was a shock in Group Six as Luke List defeated fellow American and world number six Justin Thomas 3 and 2, while Kevin Kisner of the US clinched a 4 and 3 victory over Marc Leishman of Australia.

Olympic gold medallist Xander Schauffele of the US proved too strong for Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, winning by 3 and 2.

The other Group Seven match saw Lucas Herbert of Australia overcome American Tony Finau by 4 and 3.

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson of the US started Group Eight with victory, beating Mackenzie Hughes of Canada by 3 and 2, while Max Homa defeated Matthew Wolff by 3 and 1 in an all-American duel.

In Group 10, Sweden’s Alex Norén upset Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa with a one-stroke triumph and Canadian Corey Conners beat England’s Paul Casey, who pulled up injured with a back issue.

Jordan Spieth of the US overcame compatriot Keegan Bradley and Australia’s Adam Scott got the better of England’s Justin Rose in a hotly-contested Group 11.

American Billy Horschel and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters were the winners in Group 12, beating Min Woo Lee of Australia and Tom Hoge of the US respectively.

Tyrrell Hatton of England proved too strong for Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa, winning by 3 and 2 in Group 13 where South Korea’s Kim Si-woo saw off Daniel Berger of the US.

Group 14 saw Maverick McNealy of the US beat Chilean Joaquin Niemann and Kevin Na edge Russell Henley in another all-American contest.

Double Masters champion Bubba Watson of the US went down by 3 and 1 to Mexican Abraham Ancer, while the other Group 15 match saw former US Open winner Webb Simpson defeat fellow American Brian Harman.

Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka of the US triumphed 3 and 2 against Erik van Rooyen of South Africa and American Harold Varner III beat Ireland’s Shane Lowry by 2 and 1 in Group 16.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow.