Jim Furyk's FedEx Cup campaign is in danger of collapsing after the world No.6 was disqualified from The Barclays on Wednesday morning.
Furyk, ranked third on the FedEx Cup points list and 155 points behind leader Ernie Els, will miss the first of the lucrative playoffs on Thursday after sleeping through his 7.30am tee-off time for the preceding day's pro-am.
The 40-year-old reportedly set an alarm on his mobile phone but woke at 7.23am to find his phone had lost all power.
In a panic, the American rushed to the course without wearing a belt or socks, and with his shoes untied, arriving at 7.35am to find he had been disqualified from Thursday's event at the Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey.
Furyk accepted responsibility for the disastrous mistake, which could see him drop as low as 19th on the FedEx Cup points list.
"I'm kicking myself," Furyk told the Associated Press.
"I have a way of climbing into situations that are all my fault."
"I played my heart out all year. I've got no one to blame but myself."
Golfers on the PGA Tour earn FedEx Cup points in tournaments throughout the regular season from January to mid-August.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the top 125 on the points list qualify for the The Barclays tournament, the first of four playoff events , with playing group whittled down to the top 100 for the second playoff, the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston next week.
While Furyk is safe from elimination from the lucrative playoffs given he cannot fall out of the top 100, the error could cost him dearly if he loses his place in the top five.
A top-five spot is considered a massive advantage heading into the final playoff event, The Tour Championship in Atlanta in September, given any of the top five can win the FedEx Cup simply by winning that event.
Furyk said he would return home to Florida ahead of the Deutsche Bank Championship, which begins on September 3.