Harper Lin
Golf tournaments employ a cut rule to determine which players will advance to the next round of the tournament. The cut rule is used to reduce the number of players in the tournament and is based on player scores after a certain number of holes. The number of players who advance past the cut line varies depending on the tournament, with the Masters cutting to the low 50 players and ties, the U.S. Open cutting to the low 60 players and ties, and the Open Championship and PGA Championship cutting to the low 70 players and ties.
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What You'll Learn
The number of players
The cut line is usually determined after the first 36 holes of play, with the top-scoring players and ties moving forward. The number of players that make the cut can vary depending on the tournament and the organizing body's rules. For example, the PGA of America's cut rule for the PGA Championship is to allow the low 70 scores and ties to advance to the final rounds. The U.S. Open makes the cut at the low 60 players and ties, while the Masters cut the number of players to 50 and ties.
In some cases, a 10-stroke rule or a similar variation is implemented, allowing players within a certain number of strokes of the leader to make the cut, regardless of their overall position. This rule was previously used at the Masters but was dropped in 2020 in favour of a more performance-based approach.
The cut line can be influenced by various factors, such as the number of players, their scores, and the specific rules of the tournament. For example, if there is an odd number of players after the cut line is determined, the odd player out may be allowed to play with a member of the club. Additionally, if there are multiple players tied for the same score at the cut line, all of them may be allowed to advance, increasing the total number of players in the final rounds.
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Score after 36 holes
The cut line in golf is the score that determines which players will make it to the weekend and qualify to receive a check from the tournament based on their place of finish. In most PGA Tour tournaments, the cut is made after 36 holes, with the top 65 players and ties moving forward. The number of players who make the cut varies depending on the event. For example, at the U.S. Open, the low 60 players and ties play all four rounds, while at the Open Championship and the PGA Championship, it’s the low 70 and ties.
The Masters Tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, has a unique cut rule. In 2020, tournament officials implemented new guidelines for determining the 36-hole cut, doing away with the 10-cut rule and opting for a more streamlined, performance-based approach. The new rule states that the top 50 players and ties will make the cut after 36 holes. This rule change brought Augusta National in line with the other three men’s major championships in terms of how they determine their cuts.
The cut line won’t be influenced by the play of the first-round leader or anyone else. Instead, it is determined by the scores of the players after the first 36 holes of play. For example, following the first 36 holes of the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, the field of 156 players was reduced to the low 70 scores and ties. These players advanced to complete the final two rounds.
The cut rule is a turning point in a golf tournament, eliminating players who fail to meet a certain score after two rounds of play. The remaining field goes on to compete during the weekend, while those on the wrong side of the line are eliminated. The cut rule gives shape and rhythm to the often sprawling structure of a four-day event.
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Tournament guidelines
For example, at the Masters, the cut line is the top 50 players and ties, with players finishing within 10 strokes of the leader also making the cut. This rule was changed in 2020 to a more performance-based approach.
The PGA Championship and The Open Championship have a cut line at the low 70 scores and ties, while the U.S. Open makes a cut at the low 60 players and ties.
In most PGA Tour tournaments, the cut is made after 36 holes, with the top 65 players and ties moving forward. If there is a tie that impacts the number of players advancing, the next highest score below the cut line is used to determine the final number of players who will advance.
The cut line is an important aspect of tournament golf, as it determines which players will continue to play into the weekend and qualify for prize money. It adds excitement and drama to the game, as players aim to secure their spot in the final rounds.
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Previous wins
In 2020, The Masters at Augusta National quietly dropped its 10-stroke rule, which had previously allowed any player within ten strokes of the leader to make the cut. This rule change brought Augusta National in line with the other three men's major championships in terms of how they determine their cuts. The new guidelines are more performance-based, focusing on scores alone.
The 10-stroke rule had been in place since 1957, when the tournament played without a cut from its first staging in 1934 until 1956. From 1957 to 1960, the top 40 players and ties, as well as those within 10 shots of the lead, would make the cut after two rounds. This was extended in 1961 to include the top 44 players and ties and was altered again in 2013 to include the top 50 and ties, plus any players that finish round two within 10 shots of the leader.
The cut line for the 2025 Masters Tournament was predicted to be at a two-over 146, with several top-ranked players in danger of missing out on playing all 72 holes of the tournament, including former major champions Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, and Lucas Glover.
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The course
For example, at the 2025 PGA Championship held at Quail Hollow, the wet course conditions resulted in players dealing with mudballs, which likely influenced their scores. The specific layout of the course, including the placement of hazards and the length of the holes, can also affect the difficulty level and, thus, the scores achieved by players.
Additionally, the course can impact the cut line in terms of the number of players who make it through. In most PGA Tour tournaments, the cut is typically made after 36 holes, with the top 65 players and ties advancing. However, this can vary depending on the event and the course. For instance, at the U.S. Open, the low 60 players and ties advance, while at the Masters, it is the top 50 players and ties. The Masters Tournament, held at Augusta National Golf Club, is known for having unique cut rules that have evolved over the years.
Furthermore, the length of the course and the number of holes played can vary, impacting the cut line. Most golf tournaments are 72-hole events played over four days, with 18 holes completed each day. However, some tournaments may have a different format, such as the LIV Golf League, where every player competes in all three rounds with no cut. The course length and structure play a crucial role in shaping the competition and determining the cut line.
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Frequently asked questions
A cut is used to determine which players will make it to the weekend and qualify for a paycheck from the tournament based on their finishing position.
The cut line is determined by the scores of the players after the first 36 holes of play. The field of players is reduced to the lowest 70 scores and ties. These players advance to complete the final two rounds.
The 10-stroke rule allowed any player within ten strokes of the leader to make the cut, regardless of their overall position. In 2020, The Masters quietly dropped this rule, opting for a more streamlined, performance-based approach.
