Nina Caldwell
The cut in golf refers to the reduction of the number of players who advance to the final rounds of a tournament. The cut is determined by the tournament's rules and the players' performance during the initial rounds. For example, the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club had a field of 156 players, which was cut down to the top 70 and ties after 36 holes. The Masters Tournament, in contrast, typically has a smaller field of around 95 players and keeps the top 50 and ties after 36 holes. The U.S. Open, known for its demanding course conditions, usually has one of the highest cut lines, with only the top 60 players and ties advancing after 36 holes. These cut lines play a significant role in shaping the tournament's outcome, as players strive to secure their spot in the final rounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players at the start | 156 |
| Number of players after the cut | 70 and ties |
| Number of holes considered for the cut | 36 |
| Cut line score | 1-over |
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What You'll Learn
- The cut for golf tournaments is usually after 36 holes
- The PGA Championship cut is the top 70 players and ties after 36 holes
- The Masters Tournament cut is the top 50 players and ties after 36 holes
- The U.S. Open cut is the top 60 players and ties after 36 holes
- The Open Championship cut is the top 70 players and ties after 36 holes
The cut for golf tournaments is usually after 36 holes
The cut for golf tournaments usually happens after the first 36 holes of play. This is true for the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, and The Open Championship. The cut is when the number of players in the tournament is reduced, and those who are "cut" do not advance to the next round of play.
For example, at the 2025 PGA Championship, the field of 156 players was reduced to the top 70 scores and ties after 36 holes. This means that only the players with the 70 lowest scores, and anyone who tied with the player in 70th place, advanced to the final two rounds of the tournament. The Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open also cut to the top 50 and 60 players and ties, respectively, after 36 holes.
The cut can be a stressful time for golfers, as making the cut is often seen as the minimum goal for players in a tournament. Sports psychologists even discuss a mindset with their golfer clients, whereby thinking about the cut at the start of a tournament can be limiting and negatively impact performance.
The cut line can also be influenced by course conditions. For example, the U.S. Open is known for its demanding course conditions, which often result in a high cut line. At the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont, the cut line was a high 10-over par.
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The PGA Championship cut is the top 70 players and ties after 36 holes
The cut line won't be influenced by the play of the first-round leader or anyone else at the top of the leaderboard. Instead, golfers need to focus on posting two good early scores to ensure they make it through to the weekend. This can be challenging, as white-knuckle Fridays are notorious for creating a stressful environment for pro golfers.
The PGA Championship's current format is known as the single cut. However, between 1958 (when the tournament switched to stroke play) and 1965, there was a double cut, meaning a second cut occurred after 54 holes.
The cut line at the PGA Championship can vary from year to year. For example, in 2017, 75 players made the cut at 5-over 147 or better. In 2018, the cut line was even, and in 2015 and 2016, it was 2-over.
Other major golf tournaments have different cut rules. For instance, The Masters keeps the top 50 players and ties after 36 holes, and the U.S. Open cuts to the top 60 and ties. The Open Championship uses the same format as the PGA Championship, with a cut to the top 70 and ties.
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The Masters Tournament cut is the top 50 players and ties after 36 holes
The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in the golfing calendar. The cut for this tournament is different from other golf events. While the PGA Championship and The Open Championship take the top 70 players and ties through 36 holes, and the U.S. Open takes the top 60 players and ties, The Masters Tournament cut is more exclusive, taking only the top 50 players and ties after 36 holes. This is because the field at Augusta National is traditionally less than 100 players, compared to the 156-player fields at the season's other three major championships.
The Masters Tournament cut is a highly anticipated and dramatic event, as only the top 50 players and ties will advance to the final rounds of the tournament. This means that players ranked outside the top 50 will be eliminated from the competition. The cut is crucial as it determines who has a chance to win the tournament and claim the prestigious title.
The cut line is determined by the players' scores after the first 36 holes of play. In the case of a tie, the cut line can become more complex, as all tied players within the top 50 will make the cut. This can result in a larger number of players advancing to the final rounds, as seen in the example mentioned in one source, where a total of 62 players could potentially make the cut.
The Masters Tournament cut is a significant milestone for golfers, as it separates those who are in contention for the title from those who need to improve their performance. It adds excitement and drama to the tournament, as players strive to secure their place in the final rounds.
Making the cut at The Masters Tournament is a notable achievement, and those who succeed in advancing to the final rounds will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and strategy on the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club course.
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The U.S. Open cut is the top 60 players and ties after 36 holes
The U.S. Open cut is also stricter than The Masters Tournament cut, which takes the top 50 players and ties after 36 holes. The Masters Tournament has a smaller field of players, with 156 players competing in the U.S. Open compared to 95 in the Masters Tournament.
The U.S. Open cut is also known as the 36-hole cut, and it is an important milestone for players. Even if a player only just makes the cut, they still have a chance to perform well in the third and fourth rounds and secure a high overall placement. For example, in 2019, Tony Finau and Daniel Berger made the 36-hole cut with one stroke to spare, but they went on to finish fifth and sixth, respectively, securing spots in the 2019 championship.
The U.S. Open cut rule used to include a 10-shot rule, which allowed any additional players within 10 shots of the lead to make the 36-hole cut. However, this rule was removed before 2012 to prevent too many players from making the cut and to maintain the pace of play during the weekend rounds. Now, only the top 60 players and ties will make the cut at the U.S. Open, creating a more challenging and fast-paced tournament.
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The Open Championship cut is the top 70 players and ties after 36 holes
The Open Championship cut follows the same format as the PGA Championship, with the top 70 players and ties after 36 holes advancing to the final two rounds. This means that the players outside the top 70 are cut from the tournament after the first two rounds.
The Open Championship's cut rule differs from other golf tournaments. For example, the Masters Tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, cuts to the top 50 players and ties after 36 holes. The U.S. Open has an even more demanding cut line, with only the top 60 players and ties advancing after 36 holes.
The Open Championship and the PGA Championship have larger fields of 156 players, compared to the Masters, which usually has less than 100 players. This means that more players are cut from the Open Championship and PGA Championship than from the Masters.
Determining who makes the cut at The Open Championship can be a dramatic affair, with players hovering around 70th place anxiously waiting to see if they will advance to the final rounds. The cut line is not influenced by the play of the leaders but rather by the scores of those around the cut-off point.
The cut rule for The Open Championship ensures that only the top players advance to the final rounds, increasing the level of competition as the tournament progresses.
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Frequently asked questions
The Masters Tournament cuts the field to the top 50 players and ties after 36 holes.
The U.S. Open cuts the field to the top 60 players and ties after 36 holes.
The PGA Championship cuts the field to the top 70 players and ties after 36 holes.
Sports psychologists suggest that golfers should not focus on making the cut but rather aim for two good early scores, as worrying about the cut may lead to a semi-negative mindset.
