Nina Caldwell
Golf tournaments are usually larger than the number of places paid out, so a cut is used to determine which players will make it to the weekend rounds and qualify for a paycheck. The standard cut line for a PGA event after two rounds is the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional. However, if 78 or more players make the 36-hole cut, a secondary cut is used after 54 holes to reduce the field to around 70 players. This secondary cut, also known as MDF (made the cut, didn't finish), allows players to earn money and FedEx Cup points for their standing through 54 holes. While the secondary cut rule has caused some confusion and concern, it aims to reduce logistical challenges when more than half the field makes the cut.
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What You'll Learn
The secondary cut is triggered when 78+ players make the initial cut
Golf tournaments initially cut players down to the top 65 performers, allowing for ties. This cut determines which players will continue to play into the weekend, thereby qualifying them to receive a check from the tournament based on their place of finish. However, if 78 or more players make the initial 36-hole cut, a secondary cut is triggered, occurring after 54 holes. This secondary cut reduces the field to the nearest possible 70 players.
The secondary cut does not determine whether players receive money for their performance, but it does determine which players are permitted to play the next, usually final, round. Those who make the secondary cut have the chance to earn more money and move up the leaderboard. Players who missed the secondary cut are considered MDF, or "made the cut, didn't finish," and still earn money and FedEx Cup points for their standing through 54 holes.
The cut is a mechanism built to sharpen competition and trim the field. It is an invisible blade that slices the field in half, determining who advances and who goes home. It does not discriminate, as it does not consider legacy, endorsements, or previous wins.
The European Tour adopted its own secondary cut rule in 2017, which is triggered when 78 or more professionals make the cut, resulting in a third-round cut to the top 72 players, allowing for ties.
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It reduces the field to the nearest possible 70 players
Golf tournaments usually have a larger field of players than the total number of places paid out. The cut is a mechanism to trim the field and determine which players will qualify to receive a check from the tournament based on their place of finish.
The standard cut line for a PGA event after two rounds is the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional. Any players that finish with that score or better are considered to have made the cut and continue play in the weekend rounds.
However, if 78 or more players make the 36-hole cut, a secondary cut is used after 54 holes to reduce the field to the nearest possible 70 players. This secondary cut does not determine whether the players receive money for their performance, but it does determine which players are permitted to play the next, usually final, round. Those who make the secondary cut have the chance to earn more money and move up the leaderboard.
The players who missed the secondary cut are considered MDF, or "Made the cut, Didn't Finish," and they earned money and FedEx Cup points for their standing through 54 holes.
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It occurs after 54 holes
Golf tournaments feature a cut system that determines which players will continue playing into the weekend and qualify for a paycheck. This mechanism is designed to sharpen competition and trim the field. The standard cut line for a PGA event after two rounds is the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional.
However, if 78 or more players make the initial 36-hole cut, a secondary cut is triggered after 54 holes. This secondary cut, also known as MDF (Made Cut, Didn't Finish), further reduces the field to the nearest possible 70 players. While this cut does not determine whether players are paid for their performance, it does decide which players advance to the final round, giving them an opportunity to move up the leaderboard.
The MDF rule has been a source of confusion and concern for some golfers and fans, as it can affect players' earnings and tournament outcomes. It aims to reduce the number of players making the cut, which can be a disadvantage for those who just miss out on the cut line.
The European Tour adopted its own secondary cut rule in 2017, which applies when 78 or more professionals make the cut, resulting in a third-round cut to the top 72 players and ties.
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It doesn't determine if players get paid
Golf's secondary cut rule, also known as MDF (Made Cut, Didn't Finish), is an important mechanism in golf tournaments to sharpen competition and trim the field of players. While the cut determines which players advance to the next round, it does not determine whether players receive monetary compensation for their performance.
In golf tournaments, the field of players is typically larger than the total number of places that receive payouts. The cut is used to decide which players will continue playing into the weekend, thereby qualifying them to receive a check based on their final standing. This initial cut is determined after 36 holes, with the top 70 players (including ties) usually advancing to the next round.
However, if 78 or more players make the initial 36-hole cut, a secondary cut is implemented after 54 holes to reduce the field for the final round. This secondary cut aims to limit the number of players to the nearest possible to 70. While this cut does not determine whether players are paid, it does determine who is permitted to play the next round, usually the final round.
It's important to note that players who miss the secondary cut and are considered MDF still earn money and FedEx Cup points for their standing through 54 holes. Their performance up to that point is recognised and rewarded, even if they do not advance to the final round.
The secondary cut rule has been a source of confusion and debate among golfers and organisations like the PGA Tour and European Tour. While some argue for its benefits in reducing MDFs and promoting fairness, others express concern over the impact on players' earnings and tournament dynamics.
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It does determine who plays the final round
Golf tournaments can be tense affairs, with the cut acting as an "invisible blade" that slices the field in half, determining who advances and who goes home. This mechanism sharpens competition and trims the field.
The cut is used to determine which players will play into the weekend, thereby qualifying them to receive a check from the tournament based on their place of finish. The standard cut line for a PGA event after two rounds is the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional. Any players that finish with that score or better continue to play in the weekend rounds, unless the number of players in the tie merits further tie-breaking.
However, if 78 or more players make the 36-hole cut, a secondary cut is used after 54 holes to reduce the field to around 70 players. This secondary cut does not determine whether players receive money for their performance, but it does decide which players are permitted to play the next, usually final, round. Those who make the secondary cut have the chance to earn more money and move up the leaderboard.
The players who missed the secondary cut are considered MDF, or "Made the cut, Didn't Finish," and they earned money and FedEx Cup points for their standing through 54 holes.
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Frequently asked questions
The cut is a mechanism used in golf tournaments to determine which players advance and which players go home. It also decides which players will qualify to receive a check from the tournament based on their place of finish.
The cut is determined by scores. The standard cut line for a PGA event after two rounds is the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional. Any players that finish with that score or better are considered to have made the cut and continue to play in the weekend rounds.
A secondary cut is used when more than 78 players make the initial 36-hole cut. This cut occurs after 54 holes to reduce the field to the nearest possible 70 players.
If a player misses the cut, they are considered "Made Cut, Didn't Finish" (MDF) and will earn money and FedEx Cup points for their standing through 54 holes.
No, the Northern Trust, the one FedEx Cup playoff event, does not have a cut.
