
Cuts in golf are used to determine which players will make it to the weekend rounds of a tournament. The cut line is typically the score of the 70th-lowest-scoring professional, and players that finish with that score or better are considered to have made the cut. This system ensures that only the highest-performing golfers progress to the final rounds, enhancing the competitive atmosphere and generating enthusiasm for competitors and fans alike. The cut line can vary from tournament to tournament and year to year, with different rules and formats in place for each.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of cuts | To determine which players will make it to play into the weekend and qualify for a paycheck |
| Number of cuts | 1-2 cuts; the second cut occurs after 54 holes |
| Number of players | 156 golfers |
| Number of players that make the cut | 70-78 players |
| Cut line score | 1-2 over |
| Example tournament | Valero Texas Open |
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What You'll Learn
- Cuts are used to determine who plays into the weekend
- The standard cut line for a PGA event is the 70th-lowest score
- The Masters is the strictest with just the top 50 and ties making it through
- The cut score can change significantly year-upon-year
- Players above the cut line progress to compete for cash prizes

Cuts are used to determine who plays into the weekend
Golf tournaments usually have a larger number of players than there are places paid out. This is where cuts come in: they determine which players will make it to the weekend and qualify for a payout.
The cut line is used to rank players by score. In most tournaments, players are grouped into pre-assigned groups of three and are not re-paired after the first day. 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 over the weekend.
The cut score can change from year to year, but the rule deciding how many players make it through remains consistent. For example, at the Valero Texas Open, players must meet the cut line after the second round to move on to the later stages of the tournament. The cut line acts as a standard to evaluate players' skills and guarantee that only the highest-performing golfers progress to the weekend rounds, enhancing the competitive atmosphere and generating enthusiasm for competitors and fans.
The Masters is the strictest of the four men's Majors, with just the top 50 and ties making it through, while the US Open is 60 and ties, and the PGA Championship is the top 65 and ties. The Open Championship cut ensures that the top 70 players and ties make it through to the weekend.
The 10-shot rule, used in various tournaments in the past, meant that golfers within 10 strokes of the lead made the cut, regardless of their position. The highest number of players to make it through to the weekend was 113 at the 1991 Open at Royal Birkdale.
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The standard cut line for a PGA event is the 70th-lowest score
Golf tournaments usually have a larger field of players than the total number of places paid out. A cut is used to determine which players will make it to the weekend and qualify for a payout from the tournament. The standard cut line for a PGA event is the 70th-lowest score, and any players that finish with that score or better are considered to have made the cut and continue to play in the weekend rounds. This cut line is used to rank players by score and ensure that only the highest-performing golfers progress, enhancing the competition and generating enthusiasm for competitors and fans.
The cut line for a PGA event is typically determined after two rounds, with players completing 18 holes on Thursday and 18 holes on Friday. These first two rounds are used to rank the players by score, and the standard cut line is the score of the 70th-lowest-scoring professional. This means that approximately half of the golfers will advance to the weekend rounds, while the other half will be eliminated.
The cut line can vary depending on the specific tournament and the number of players who tie at the 70th-place mark. If there are more than 78 players who qualify for the next round, a second cut may occur after 54 holes, using the same procedure of selecting the top 70 scores and ties.
The Masters, for example, is known for having a strict cut rule, with only the top 50 players and ties advancing to the weekend rounds. Other tournaments, such as the US Open and the PGA Championship, may have slightly different cut lines, with the top 60 and ties, or the top 65 and ties advancing, respectively.
Making the cut is crucial for golfers as it allows them to progress to the latter stages of the tournament, compete for cash prizes, and aim for victories. It is a highly anticipated aspect of golf tournaments, as it adds excitement and determines which players will have the opportunity to continue chasing their goals and financial gains.
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The Masters is the strictest with just the top 50 and ties making it through
In golf, cuts are used to determine which players will make it to the weekend rounds and be eligible to receive prize money. The cut line is used to evaluate players' skills and ensure that only the highest-performing golfers progress, enhancing the competition and generating enthusiasm for competitors and fans.
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 playing over the weekend. If more than 78 players qualify for the next round, a second cut may occur after 54 holes, again using the top 70 and ties rule.
The cut rule for The Masters is unique. Of all four men's Majors, The Masters is the strictest, with only the top 50 players and ties advancing to the weekend rounds. Between 1957 and 1960, the top 40 players and ties, as well as those within 10 shots of the lead, made the cut after two rounds. The 10-shot rule, which was common in various tournaments in the past, is no longer a feature in the Majors.
Other tournaments, such as the Valero Texas Open, use a similar cut line to the PGA events, with the top 65 players and ties advancing to the next rounds. The cut line can vary from year to year, depending on the field of competitors and their scores.
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The cut score can change significantly year-upon-year
Golf tournaments usually begin with a larger field of players than there are places paid out. A cut is used to determine which players will make it to the weekend and qualify to receive a check from the tournament based on their finishing position. The cut score can change significantly from year to year, but the rule deciding how many players make it through remains consistent.
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, unless the number of players in the tie merits further tie-break. If more than 78 players qualify for the next round, a second cut occurs after 54 holes.
The cut score is not always the same and can vary depending on the tournament and the year. For example, the cut line for the 2018 PGA Championship was even, while in 2017, it was 1-over, and in 2015 and 2016, it was 2-over. The Masters is known for having a strict cut rule, with only the top 50 players and ties making it through to the weekend.
While the cut score can change, players need to be aware of the approximate cut line to strategize and ensure they make it to the weekend. This adds an extra layer of complexity and excitement to tournaments, as players not only compete to be at the top of the leaderboard but also to secure their spot for the remaining rounds.
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Players above the cut line progress to compete for cash prizes
Golf tournaments usually feature a cut, which determines which players will progress to play into the weekend and compete for cash prizes. This cut is necessary because the fields in golf tournaments are larger than the total number of places paid out.
The cut is usually made after the second round, with the players ranked by score. 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 play in the weekend rounds. However, if the number of players in the tie merits it, a second cut may occur after 54 holes, using the same procedures (top 70 and ties).
The number of players who make the cut varies depending on the tournament. For instance, the Masters is the strictest, with just the top 50 and ties making it through, while the US Open is the top 60 and ties, and the PGA Championship is the top 65 and ties. The Open Championship ensures that the top 70 players and ties make it through to the weekend.
Making the cut is crucial for players as it allows them to progress to the next rounds and compete for cash prizes, enhancing the competitive spirit and generating enthusiasm for competitors and fans alike. It also creates opportunities for golfers to aim for victories and financial gains, adding to the thrill of the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
A cut in golf is used to determine which players will make it to the weekend rounds and qualify for a paycheck.
The cut line is determined by ranking players by their scores from the first two rounds (18 holes each). The standard cut line for a PGA event is the score of the 70th lowest-scoring professional.
The number of players that make the cut can vary depending on the tournament and the scores. Generally, it is around half of the starting field, which is usually 156 golfers.
If a player does not make the cut, they are eliminated from the tournament and cannot compete in the remaining rounds. They may still receive a share of the prize money, depending on the tournament.
Yes, the cut rules can vary slightly between different tournaments. For example, the Masters is known for having strict cut rules, with only the top 50 and ties advancing. Additionally, some tournaments may have a second cut after 54 holes if more than 78 players qualify for the next round.










































