It all proved too much for American golfer Scott McCarron on the final hole of the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Augusta on Friday.The 2016 champion received a free drop near the 18th green, only to accidentally drop his club on the ball as he stepped forward afterwards, the head of the club moving the ball to the right.A one-shot penalty ensued and Golf Channel viewers in 180 countries around the world witnessed first hand McCarron smashed his club into the ground in frustration.A bogey left him with an even-par 72, five behind leaders Rocco Mediate, David Toms, Joe Durant and Bernhard Langer after the first round.A frustrating day it may have proved for the 52-year-old Californian, but an overnight rest will give time to reflect that all is far from lost.In July, McCarron capitalised on a collapse from Langer on the final two holes to win the first PGA Tour champions major of his career in Maryland. Shooting a six under 66, he came from six shots behind to pip Langer and Brandt Jobe by a single stroke.Finishing with eight straight pars was also good enough to earn McCarron a cheque for $420,000, his biggest payday on the 50-and-over tour.

McCarron penalised for drop:

And he at least suffered a better fate than John Daly on Friday, whose weekend in Augusta ended with a knee injury sustained hitting a tee shot on the 10th.

The Augusta tournament is the first of three PGA TOUR Champions season-ending playoff events to determine the annual Charles Schwab Cup Champion.

A field of 72 are competing for a share of a $2million purse with the top 52 going through to the second playoff in California, starting October 27th.

Current champion Bernhard Langer won his third Schwab Cup in a row last year.