Miles Bennett
Golf tournaments typically feature a 'cut', which is a mechanism used to determine which players advance to the next round, and which are eliminated from the tournament. The cut is usually made after the second round, with the top-performing players (typically the top 65 to 70, including ties) progressing to the weekend rounds. This cut-off point can vary significantly from year to year, and different tournaments have different rules. For example, the Masters keeps the low 50 and ties, while the U.S. Open makes the cut at the low 60 and ties. Some tournaments also have a 'double cut', where players are cut after both the second and third rounds. The cut does not always determine whether players receive money for their performance, but those who do not make the cut may still receive a share of the prize money.
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What You'll Learn
The cut determines which players make it to the weekend
The cut is a crucial aspect of golf tournaments, determining which players will continue to play into the weekend and compete for the top spots. It is a mechanism used to narrow down the field and ensure that only the highest-performing golfers advance to the final rounds.
In most 72-hole tournaments, players start with 18 holes on Thursday and another 18 on Friday. These initial rounds serve to rank the players by score heading into the weekend. The standard cut line for a PGA event is typically set at the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional. Any player who finishes at or above this score successfully makes the cut and progresses to the weekend rounds.
However, it's important to note that the cut score is not static and can vary across different tournaments and from year to year. For instance, The Masters Tournament allows only the top 50 and ties to advance, while the U.S. Open retains the low 60 and ties. The number of golfers who make it through to the weekend can differ, as seen at Royal Troon in 2024, where 80 players made the cut, compared to 76 at Royal Liverpool in 2023.
Additionally, some tournaments may employ a 10-stroke cut rule, where any player within 10 strokes of the leader after two rounds is allowed to continue to the weekend, even if their ranking is below 70th. This rule is typically applied in major tournaments, where the course difficulty can lead to significant score fluctuations.
The cut plays a pivotal role in shaping the tournament's competitive atmosphere, intensifying the excitement for both the advancing golfers and the spectators following their journey.
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The cut line is a standard established by the PGA Tour
The cut line determines which golfers are eliminated from the tournament and who moves on to the final rounds. The standard cut line for a PGA event after two rounds is the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional. Any player that finishes with that score or better makes the cut and continues to play in the final rounds.
However, the cut score can vary significantly from year to year. For example, the cut line at the Valero Texas Open has changed over the years, ranging from +1 in 2024 to -1 in 2022. Similarly, the cut line at the Open Championship has fluctuated, with a cut of +6 in 2024 and +1 in 2021.
While the cut score may vary, the rule deciding how many players advance remains consistent. The Masters Tournament, for instance, is the strictest, allowing only the top 50 and ties to advance, while the US Open permits the top 60 and ties, and the PGA Championship allows the top 65 and ties.
Some tournaments also employ a 10-stroke cut rule, where any player within 10 strokes of the leader after two rounds advances, even if their ranking is below the 70th position. This rule is typically used in major tournaments with challenging courses, where a good round can quickly improve a player's standing.
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The cut score can change year-upon-year
The cut score is determined by the tournament organisers, who use it to evaluate players' skills and ensure that only the highest-performing golfers progress to the next rounds, enhancing the competition and generating enthusiasm for competitors and fans. The standard cut line for a PGA event 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.
However, if more than 78 players make the cut, further tie-breaking procedures are applied to determine who gets to play in the remaining rounds. In this case, the next highest score below the 70th player is considered, and it is determined how many players would make the cut with this new line. The number of players closest to 70, either at the original line or the new lower line, is then used as the cut-off point.
Some tournaments, such as the Masters, keep only the lowest 50 players and ties, while others, like the U.S. Open, keep the lowest 60 players and ties. Additionally, some events utilise a 10-stroke cut rule, where any player within 10 strokes of the leader after two rounds is permitted to continue, even if they rank worse than 70th. This rule is typically used in major tournaments with very difficult courses, where a player can quickly climb the leaderboard with a good round.
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The cut line varies across tournaments
For instance, the Valero Texas Open has had a range of cut lines over the years, including +1 in 2024, Even in 2023, and -1 in 2022. The Masters Tournament, on the other hand, is known for being the strictest, allowing only the top 50 and ties to advance, while the US Open keeps the low 60 and ties, and the PGA Championship retains the top 65 and ties.
The Open Championship, or the British Open, has introduced a "double cut" between 1968 and 1985, where cuts were made at the halfway point and after the third round. Currently, the cut is made after the second round, with the top 70 players and ties advancing to the next rounds. The cut score at The Open can vary significantly, with the cut mark falling at six-over at Royal Troon last year, and three-over at Royal Liverpool in 2023.
Some tournaments, such as major tournaments, may utilise a 10-stroke cut rule, where any player within 10 strokes of the leader after two rounds is permitted to advance, even if their ranking is below 70th. This rule is no longer a feature in the Majors.
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Some events use a 10-stroke cut rule
The 10-stroke cut rule, also known as the 10-shot rule, is a condition used in some pro-golf tournaments. The rule was introduced in 1962 to allow any player within 10 strokes of the lead after 36 holes to make the cut, regardless of their ranking. This rule is typically used in major tournaments, where the course is more challenging, and a player who shoots a score in the mid-60s can quickly climb through the field.
The Masters Tournament was the last of the majors to use the 10-stroke rule, with their cut rule being the top 50, including ties, plus all golfers within 10 strokes of the lead. However, beginning with the 2020 tournament, The Masters dropped the 10-stroke rule, leaving very few pro golf tournaments that still use it.
The U.S. Open, for example, has a cut rule of the top 60 players plus ties, while the standard cut line for a PGA event is the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional. If more than 78 players make the cut, a secondary cut is applied after 54 holes, using the same procedure.
The cut rule is used to determine which players will qualify to play in the final rounds of a tournament and receive a check for their performance. It also helps to enhance the competitive atmosphere and generate enthusiasm for competitors and fans.
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Frequently asked questions
The cut in golf is used to determine which players will make it to the next round of a tournament.
The cut is determined by ranking players by score. 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.
Yes, the cut line can vary dramatically from year to year and depends on the tournament. For example, the Masters keeps the low 50 and ties around for the weekend, while the U.S. Open makes the cut at the low 60 and ties.
The 10-stroke rule is used in some tournaments, where any player within 10 strokes of the leader after two rounds is permitted to make the weekend, even if the player ranks worse than 70th.
