The Spaniard opened his account yesterday with success against Colombian Juan Sebastián Muñoz before seeing off Young by 5 and 4 today at the Austin Country Club.

After falling two shots behind, Rahm responded well to defeat the Professional Golf Association Tour rookie who was making his Match Play debut.

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed of the United States drew with Muñoz, ending their hopes of advancing from Group One.

The winners of each of the 16 groups will progress to the knockout stages after three days of matches.

Nothing could separate world number two Collin Morikawa of the United States and Spain’s Sergio Garcia as they fought out a tie on day two in Austin.

Garcia, seeking his 30th match victory in this event, rattled in three successive birdies in the closing holes to deny Morikawa the win.

The other Group Two match saw Jason Kokrak of the US bounce back from his loss to Garcia to defeat Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre by 3 and 2.

There were victories for Sepp Straka of Austria and Norway’s Viktor Hovland in Group Three as they beat Americans Will Zalatoris and Cameron Tringale respectively.

World number four Patrick Cantlay of the US is unable to qualify for the next round after suffering a shock defeat by Ireland’s Seamus Power in Group Four.

The Irishman powered to a 5 and 4 victory over Cantlay who has not advanced from his group in four Match Play appearances.

Im Sung-jae of South Korea lost to Power yesterday but broke a run of three successive Match Play defeats with a 5 and 3 victory over Keith Mitchell of the US.

There was also a surprise elimination for American Scottie Scheffler.

The world number five lost by 2 and 1 to England’s Tommy Fleetwood, while an all-English clash saw Matt Fitzpatrick beat Ian Poulter by 4 and 2 in Group Five.

Kevin Kisner of the US birdied three of the last four holes to beat compatriot Luke List to make it two wins from two in Group Six.

American Justin Thomas swept aside Australia’s Marc Leishman by 5 and 4 as he hit straight back after his loss to List yesterday.

Australia’s Lucas Herbert beat Olympic champion Xander Schauffele of the US, while American Tony Finau’s hopes of advancing were dashed following a defeat to Japan’s Takumi Kanaya.

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson recorded his second successive victory with a 4 and 2 success over fellow American Matthew Wolff in Group Eight, while Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes got the better of Max Homa of the US.

Former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau of the US continues his recovery from wrist and hip injuries as he lost to England’s Lee Westwood in Group Nine.

Westwood is now set to face 49-year-old fellow Englishman Richard Bland who defeated American Taylor Gooch.

Paul Casey of England conceded his second straight match as he withdrew from the tournament with a back injury.

He was due to face Sweden’s Alex Norén but pulled out after feeling pain in his lower back during the warm-up.

With Corey Conners of Canada beating Louis Oosthuizen by 2 and 1, Noren’s match against Conners will be a winner-takes-all clash in Group 10.

Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose of England saw off Jordan Spieth of the US by 3 and 2, while Adam Scott of Australia held American Keegan Bradley to a tie in Group 11.

Billy Horschel was the winner in an all-American battle in Group 12 with Tom Hoge, triumphing by 3 and 2, while Australian Min Woo Lee overcame Belgian Thomas Pieters.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton made it back-to-back wins in Group 13 as he defeated South Korean Kim Si-woo.

American Daniel Berger kept his hopes of progressing from Group 13 alive with a 2 and 1 victory over South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout and will next face Hatton for a place in the knockout phase.

In Group 14, Chilean Joaquín Niemann beat Russell Henley of the US by 2 and 1 and the all-American match between Kevin Na and Maverick McNealy ended in a tie.

Double Masters champion Bubba Watson of the US beat compatriot Webb Simpson while Mexican Abraham Ancer finished tied with American Brian Harman.

Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka kept his unbeaten start intact with a 2 and 1 victory over fellow American Harold Varner III.

The other Group 16 match saw Ireland’s Shane Lowry beat Erik van Rooyen of South Africa.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the final group matches.