How many golfers make the cut in a tournament? For most regular PGA Tour events, the goal is for the top 65 players to make the cut. This includes anyone tied with the 65th lowest score. So, often more than 65 players make the cut. The Golf cut rule helps decide which Players making the cut get to play the Weekend rounds golf. In Major championship cut events, the rules can be a little different.
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Grasping the Golf Cut Rule
Golf tournaments often last for four days. The first two days are rounds one and two. After these two rounds, many players are sent home. Only some players get to keep playing on Saturday and Sunday. This is called making the cut. The Golf cut rule tells us how this works. It is a key part of Golf tournament rules.
Not everyone who starts a tournament gets to finish it. There is a point where players must meet a certain score. If their score is not good enough, they do not play the last two days. This saves time and makes the final days more exciting. It focuses attention on the players doing the best.
The cut rule makes golf tournaments fair. It rewards players who play well in the first half. It means only the top players compete for the win on the weekend. This system is used in many professional golf tours around the world. The rules can change a little depending on where the tournament is played. But the main idea is the same everywhere.
Deciphering the PGA Tour Cut
The PGA Tour is where many of the world’s best golfers play. They have a standard cut rule for most of their tournaments. This rule is used very often. It helps decide who plays on Saturday and Sunday.
The standard PGA Tour cut rule says that the top 65 players after two rounds will make the cut. But it is not just exactly 65 players. It is the top 65 players and anyone tied with the 65th player.
Let’s say the score needed to be in the top 65 is 1 under par. If 70 players have a score of 1 under par or better, all 70 players will make the cut. This is why the rule is often called Top 65 and ties golf. The number can change slightly. Sometimes it is Top 60 and ties golf. It depends on the specific tournament’s rules. But 65 and ties is very common on the PGA Tour.
This rule means that the exact number of players making the cut changes each week. It depends on how many players are tied at the cut score. It is never less than 65 (or 60), but it can often be more. This is how How the golf cut works on the PGA Tour most of the time.
How the Cut Line is Set
The Cut line golf is the score that players need to meet or beat to play the weekend. This score is not set before the tournament starts. It is decided after all players have finished their second round.
Officials look at all the scores. They rank the players from lowest score to highest score. Then they find the score that puts a player in 65th place (or 60th place). That score is the Cut line golf.
Any player with a score lower than the cut line makes the cut. Any player with the same score as the cut line makes the cut because of the “ties” part of the rule. Any player with a score higher than the cut line Missed cut golf. They do not play the last two days.
Example:
* Lowest score after two rounds is 10 under par.
* Scores go up from there.
* The score in 65th place is 2 over par.
* The Cut line golf is 2 over par.
* All players who scored 2 over par or better make the cut.
* Players who scored 3 over par or higher do not make the cut.
This is a simple way to explain how the cut line is found. It is fair because it uses the scores players actually shot.
The Benefit of Making the Cut
Why is making the cut so important for golfers? There are several reasons.
- Weekend Rounds: Players get to play the Weekend rounds golf on Saturday and Sunday. This is the main goal. They get more chances to play and try to win.
- Prize Money: Only players who make the cut get prize money. Players who Missed cut golf get nothing. Making the cut guarantees a player will get some money from the tournament. The higher a player finishes on Sunday, the more money they win.
- Ranking Points: Making the cut usually helps a player get ranking points. These points help them get into future tournaments. They also help their world ranking.
- Experience: Playing all four rounds gives players more experience. They learn how to handle pressure and play the course in different conditions.
- Sponsors: Playing on the weekend means more TV time. This is good for a player’s sponsors. It helps them earn money off the course too.
So, making the cut is not just about playing the weekend. It is about earning money, getting points, and building a career in golf.
Interpreting Major Championship Cuts
Major championships are the biggest and most important tournaments in golf. There are four major championships each year:
- The Masters Tournament
- The PGA Championship
- The U.S. Open
- The Open Championship (British Open)
These events are very special. The rules for making the cut can be a little different here. The Major championship cut rules are not always the same as the regular PGA Tour cut.
The Masters Tournament Cut
The Masters is played every April at Augusta National Golf Club. It has its own unique set of rules. The cut rule here is different from most events.
The Masters cut rule says that the top 50 players and ties after two rounds make the cut. This is stricter than the PGA Tour’s Top 65 and ties golf. Fewer players make the cut at the Masters.
Also, for a time, there was another rule at the Masters. Players within 10 strokes of the lead also made the cut, no matter their position. This rule was removed in 2020. Now, it is just the Top 50 and ties golf.
This makes the Masters cut one of the hardest to make. With fewer players making the cut, the field for the weekend is smaller and more select.
The PGA Championship Cut
The PGA Championship is run by the PGA of America. It is another major with a slightly different cut rule.
The standard cut rule for the PGA Championship is the Top 70 and ties golf. This means more players make the cut here compared to the Masters or the standard PGA Tour rule.
This rule allows a larger group of players to compete over the weekend. It gives more golfers a chance to earn prize money and world ranking points from a major event.
The U.S. Open Cut
The U.S. Open is known for having very tough course conditions. It is run by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Its cut rule is designed to have a smaller field for the final rounds.
The U.S. Open cut rule is the Top 60 players and ties golf. This is a bit stricter than the PGA Tour’s common rule of 65 and ties. It is the same number as the alternative PGA Tour rule, but it is the standard for the U.S. Open.
This smaller field for the weekend adds to the challenge of the U.S. Open. It makes making the cut a big achievement for players.
The Open Championship Cut
The Open Championship is the oldest major. It is played outside the United States, often in England, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. It is run by The R&A.
The cut rule for The Open Championship is the Top 70 players and ties golf. This is the same rule used at the PGA Championship.
Like the PGA Championship, this rule allows a larger group of players to make the cut compared to the Masters or U.S. Open. This means more players get to experience playing the final rounds of this historic tournament.
Summary of Major Championship Cuts
Here is a quick look at how many players make the cut in the four majors:
| Major Championship | Cut Rule | Number of Players Making Cut (Minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| The Masters Tournament | Top 50 and ties | 50 |
| The PGA Championship | Top 70 and ties | 70 |
| The U.S. Open | Top 60 and ties | 60 |
| The Open Championship | Top 70 and ties | 70 |
Remember, the actual number of players who make the cut is often higher than the minimum number listed. This is because of the “ties” rule. If many players have the same score at the cut line, they all make it.
Fathoming How the Golf Cut Works in Practice
Let’s look closer at How the golf cut works during a tournament.
Golfers play their first round on Thursday (usually). They play their second round on Friday. After they finish their second round, their scores are added together. This is their total score for 36 holes (two rounds).
Tournament officials keep track of all the scores. They rank players based on these scores. The player with the lowest score is in first place. The player with the highest score is last.
Once all players have finished their second round, the officials find the position mentioned in the rules (like 65th or 60th place). The score of the player in that position is the provisional Cut line golf.
Then, they check for ties. If players outside that position have the same score as the player at the cut line, those tied players also make the cut. This final score is the official cut line.
A list is then published. It shows which players Players making the cut and which players Missed cut golf.
Players who made the cut will play their third round on Saturday. They will play their fourth round on Sunday. Players who missed the cut will leave the tournament site. They do not play any more holes.
The Effects of the Cut
The cut has a big effect on the tournament.
- It reduces the number of players. This makes it easier to manage play on Saturday and Sunday.
- It groups players closer together on the leaderboard. Players who made the cut are generally closer in score than the full starting field.
- It adds drama on Friday. Players near the cut line fight hard to make it. Every shot becomes very important for them.
- It impacts the final prize money distribution.
For many players, making the cut is the first goal of the week. Once they achieve that, they can focus on climbing the leaderboard and trying to win.
Looking at Players Making the Cut
Players making the cut have done well enough in the first two rounds to continue playing. These are the golfers who will be competing for the title and the biggest share of the prize money.
The size of the field that makes the cut can vary a lot. In a regular PGA Tour event with a field of 144 players, maybe 70-80 players make the cut under the Top 65 and ties golf rule. In a major like the Masters, where the starting field might be smaller (around 90 players) and the cut is stricter (Top 50 and ties golf), perhaps only 50-60 players make the cut.
The players who make the cut are usually the ones who:
- Hit the ball well.
- Putt well.
- Avoid making big mistakes.
- Handle pressure.
Sometimes a player might have one bad hole but still make the cut because their other holes were good. Other times, a player might play okay but just not good enough to get below the Cut line golf.
Example of Making the Cut
Imagine a tournament with the cut line at 2 over par (+2).
- Player A finishes two rounds with a score of 1 over par (+1). They are below the cut line. They make the cut.
- Player B finishes two rounds with a score of 2 over par (+2). They are exactly on the cut line. Because of the “ties” rule, they make the cut.
- Player C finishes two rounds with a score of 3 over par (+3). They are above the cut line. They Missed cut golf.
This is how it works for every player in the field. Their score after 36 holes is compared to the cut line.
What Happens When Players Missed Cut Golf
When a player has Missed cut golf, it means their score after the first two rounds was higher than the Cut line golf. They are out of the tournament.
This is disappointing for players. They came hoping to win or at least finish well. Missing the cut means they do not play the weekend. They do not get any prize money from that tournament.
Missing the cut also means they do not get any ranking points from that event. If a player misses many cuts, it can hurt their position in the rankings. This can make it harder for them to get into future tournaments.
For golfers trying to keep their playing status on a tour, making cuts is very important. They need to earn a certain amount of money or points over the season. Missing cuts means they miss chances to earn money and points.
Players who miss the cut usually leave the tournament site on Friday. They might travel to the next tournament location. They might go home to practice. They sometimes speak to reporters briefly about their rounds. It is a quick end to their week.
Reasons for Missing the Cut
Why do players miss the cut?
- Poor Play: The most common reason is simply not playing well enough. This could be bad driving, poor iron shots, or struggling with putting.
- Tough Conditions: Sometimes, bad weather like strong winds or heavy rain makes scoring very hard. This can cause more players than usual to miss the cut.
- Difficult Course: Some golf courses are designed to be very hard. This leads to higher scores and can cause good players to miss the cut if they are not at their best.
- Mistakes: Big mistakes like hitting balls out of bounds, into water hazards, or taking too many putts can add strokes quickly. A few bad holes can make a player’s score too high to make the cut.
- Injury or Sickness: Sometimes a player might not feel well or have a minor injury. This can affect their play and lead to a missed cut.
Missing a cut is part of a golfer’s life. Even the best players in the world miss cuts sometimes. It is a sign that they need to work on their game before the next event.
Comprehending Weekend Rounds Golf
The Weekend rounds golf are the third and fourth rounds of a tournament. These are played on Saturday and Sunday. Only the Players making the cut get to play these rounds.
Playing the weekend is what separates the field. The pressure is often higher on the weekend. The best players try to move up the leaderboard and get into contention to win.
Scores are important on the weekend. A player who made the cut right on the line might shoot a very low score on Saturday to climb up many spots. A player near the lead might struggle and fall down the leaderboard.
The final outcome of the tournament is decided based on the total score after all four rounds (72 holes). The player with the lowest total score wins.
Playing the weekend rounds is also important for prize money. Most of the prize money is paid out for high finishes. Finishing in the top 10 or top 5 means a much bigger payday than just making the cut and finishing near the bottom of the weekend field.
The Importance of Saturday and Sunday
For players who made the cut, Saturday is often called “moving day.” This is the day where players try to make a big move up the leaderboard. Scoring conditions can be good, and players take more risks to get closer to the leaders.
Sunday is the final round. This is when the winner is usually decided. The pressure is highest. Players near the lead try to hold on or pull away. Players further back try to post a low score to finish as high as possible. Every shot counts towards their final score and prize money.
The Weekend rounds golf are what fans tune in to watch. They see the best players competing head-to-head under pressure. The cut rule makes sure that only the most successful players from the first two days are part of this final drama.
Other Golf Tournament Rules and the Cut
The cut rule is just one of many Golf tournament rules. But it is a very important one because it changes the field size during the event.
Other rules affect how scores are kept, how players behave, and what happens in special situations. For example:
- Rules of Golf: These are the basic rules about hitting the ball, putting, penalties, and so on. A penalty stroke can make a player’s score higher and might cause them to miss the cut.
- Local Rules: Each tournament or golf course can have its own extra rules for specific situations, like ground under repair. These rules can sometimes impact scoring.
- Pace of Play: There are rules about how fast players must play. Slow play can result in penalties.
- Code of Conduct: Players must act professionally.
All these rules together govern the tournament. But the Golf cut rule is unique because it physically removes players from the competition halfway through. It is a key mechanism for shaping the event.
Field Sizes and the Cut
The size of the starting field for a tournament affects how many players are trying to make the cut.
- Regular PGA Tour events often have fields of around 132 or 144 players. With a Top 65 and ties golf rule, roughly half the field makes the cut.
- Major championships often have slightly smaller fields, maybe 100-156 players, depending on the event and how players qualify. The stricter cut rules in some majors mean a higher percentage of players miss the cut.
- Some special tournaments, like the TOUR Championship at the end of the PGA Tour season, have no cut at all. A smaller field of around 30 players competes all four days.
So, while the cut rule defines who makes it based on score, the initial field size affects how many players are trying to make it.
Exceptions and Special Cases for the Cut
While the rules mentioned are standard, sometimes there are special cases.
- No-Cut Events: As mentioned, some tournaments do not have a cut. These events have smaller fields of top-ranked players. Every player plays all four rounds.
- Second Cut: Very rarely, if an unusually large number of players make the initial cut (sometimes over 78 players on the PGA Tour), there might be a second cut after the third round (Saturday). This rule is not common anymore but has been used in the past. If a second cut happens, it usually brings the field down to the top 70 players and ties for the final round. This is unusual and most tournaments use the single cut after 36 holes.
- Minimum Number of Players: Tournament organizers want to make sure there are enough players for the weekend. The cut rule like Top 65 and ties golf or Top 70 and ties golf always includes the “ties” part. This makes sure that anyone who reaches the cut score gets to play. It avoids a situation where exactly 65 players make it and someone with the exact same score in 66th place is left out.
These exceptions show that while the rules are mostly standard, they can be adjusted for different events or situations. But the most common scenario on the PGA Tour is the Top 65 and ties golf cut after two rounds.
Summarizing the Cut Process
Let’s put it all together simply:
- Golfers play 18 holes on Day 1 (Thursday).
- Golfers play 18 holes on Day 2 (Friday).
- Scores for the two days (36 holes) are added up for each player.
- Tournament officials find the Cut line golf based on the tournament’s specific rule (e.g., Top 65 and ties golf, Top 60 and ties golf, Top 50 and ties golf, or Top 70 and ties golf).
- Players making the cut have a score equal to or lower than the cut line. They play Saturday and Sunday.
- Players who Missed cut golf have a score higher than the cut line. Their tournament is over.
- The players who made the cut play the Weekend rounds golf to compete for the final positions and prize money.
This system is a core part of how professional golf tournaments work. It adds excitement, rewards good play early on, and sets the stage for the final two days of competition. Grasping this rule helps fans better appreciate the strategy and pressure players face during the first two rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Golf Cut
How does the golf cut rule work?
The Golf cut rule uses players’ scores after the first two rounds (36 holes) to decide who gets to play the final two rounds (Saturday and Sunday). A score called the Cut line golf is set. Players with scores equal to or better than the cut line make the cut. Players with higher scores do not.
How many players usually make the cut on the PGA Tour?
On the PGA Tour cut, the standard rule is the Top 65 and ties golf. This means at least 65 players make the cut, plus anyone tied with the 65th person’s score. The actual number is often between 70 and 80 players, depending on the number of ties.
Is the cut rule the same in all golf tournaments?
No, the Golf cut rule can be different. The regular PGA Tour cut is usually Top 65 and ties. Major championship cut rules are different: Masters is Top 50 and ties, U.S. Open is Top 60 and ties, and the PGA Championship and Open Championship are Top 70 and ties. Some special tournaments have no cut.
What does “Top 65 and ties golf” mean?
This rule means that all players whose score is among the lowest 65 scores make the cut. Also, any player whose score is the same as the player in the 65th position also makes the cut, even if this means more than 65 players get in. It guarantees everyone tied at the Cut line golf gets to play.
What happens if a player missed the cut?
If a player Missed cut golf, they do not play the third and fourth rounds. Their tournament is finished after 36 holes. They do not earn any prize money from that event.
Do only players who make the cut get prize money?
Yes, in most professional golf tournaments with a cut, only the Players making the cut are eligible to earn prize money. The amount of money depends on their final position after all four rounds.
Why do some tournaments have a cut and others don’t?
Tournaments with cuts are designed for larger fields of players. The cut reduces the field size for the weekend, which makes managing the event easier and focuses attention on the leaders. No-cut events usually have smaller, elite fields where all players are guaranteed to play all four days.
How is the cut line determined?
The Cut line golf is determined after all players have finished their second round. Tournament officials find the score of the player in the position specified by the rule (e.g., 65th, 60th, 50th, 70th). That score becomes the cut line. Any player with that score or a lower score makes the cut because of the “ties” part of the rule.
What are the Weekend rounds golf?
The Weekend rounds golf are the third and fourth rounds of a tournament, played on Saturday and Sunday. Only players who have made the cut are allowed to play in these rounds. These rounds decide the final winner and prize money.