How Many Players Typically Make the Cut in Golf Tournaments?

In the thrilling world of professional golf, the phrase “making the cut” carries significant weight, often determining who continues to compete and who heads home early. For fans and newcomers alike, understanding how many players make the cut in golf is essential to appreciating the dynamics of a tournament and the pressure athletes face as they strive to advance. This concept not only shapes the competition’s intensity but also influences the strategies players adopt during the early rounds.

At its core, the cut is a pivotal moment in a golf tournament that separates the top-performing players from the rest, ensuring that only those meeting a certain standard continue to the final rounds. While the exact number of players who make the cut can vary depending on the tournament and its rules, the process remains a critical filter that heightens excitement and suspense. It reflects both the competitive nature of the sport and the desire to showcase the best talent as the event progresses.

Exploring how many players make the cut in golf opens the door to understanding tournament structures, scoring methods, and the historical evolution of this practice. As you delve deeper, you’ll discover how this aspect of golf influences player performance, audience engagement, and the overall flow of the game, making it a fascinating topic for anyone interested in the sport.

Typical Cut Rules Across Major Golf Tournaments

The number of players who make the cut in professional golf tournaments varies depending on the event and the governing body’s rules. Generally, the cut is designed to reduce the field size after the first two rounds (36 holes), allowing only the top performers to continue to the weekend rounds. This ensures a more competitive and manageable field for the final rounds.

For most PGA Tour events, the standard cut line is set at the top 70 players plus ties after the second round. This means if multiple players share the same score at the cut line, they all advance to the final rounds, which can sometimes lead to more than 70 players moving forward.

In contrast, the four major championships have their own distinct cut rules, which often differ slightly from regular tour events:

• The Masters Tournament: Usually cuts to the top 50 players and ties or anyone within 10 strokes of the leader after 36 holes.
• U.S. Open: Cuts to the top 60 players and ties after the second round.
• The Open Championship (British Open): Cuts to the top 70 players and ties.
• PGA Championship: Typically cuts to the top 70 players and ties.

These variations reflect the unique traditions and competitive structures of each major tournament.

Impact of the Cut on Tournament Play

Making the cut is a critical milestone for professional golfers, as it significantly influences earnings, ranking points, and career progression. Players who fail to make the cut do not participate in the weekend rounds and generally do not earn prize money for that event, except in some cases where partial pay is awarded.

The cut also impacts the tournament’s pace and logistics. With fewer players on the course, rounds can proceed more smoothly, and broadcasters can focus coverage on the leaders. Additionally, it elevates the pressure on players during the initial rounds, as a poor start can result in missing the cut and losing the opportunity to compete further.

Cut Line Determination and Ties

The cut line is determined by the players’ scores relative to par after the first two rounds. It is designed to include a set number of players, but ties at the cutoff score can increase the number of players advancing.

Factors influencing the cut line include:

• Overall scoring conditions, such as weather and course difficulty.
• Performance distribution among players.
• Tournament-specific rules regarding ties.

In some cases, if too many players are tied at the cut line, it may lead to a larger field than planned for the weekend rounds.

Tournament	Cut Rule	Typical Number of Players Making Cut
PGA Tour Regular Events	Top 70 and ties	Approximately 70-80
The Masters	Top 50 and ties or within 10 strokes of leader	Varies, usually around 50-60
U.S. Open	Top 60 and ties	60-70
The Open Championship	Top 70 and ties	70-80
PGA Championship	Top 70 and ties	70-80

Exceptions and Variations in Cut Rules

While the above guidelines represent the standard approach to cuts, certain tournaments or tours may implement unique variations based on their format or competitive goals.

Some notable exceptions include:

• No Cut Events: Certain invitationals, limited-field tournaments, or match play events (e.g., the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play) do not have a cut, allowing all players to compete throughout the event.
• Special Circumstances: Weather delays or course conditions may cause tournament officials to adjust the cut line or even eliminate the cut in rare cases.
• Secondary Cuts: Occasionally, if a large number of players make the initial cut, a secondary cut may occur after the third round to further reduce the field for the final round.

Understanding these exceptions is important for appreciating how tournament formats can influence the progression and competitive dynamics in professional golf.

Standard Number of Players Who Make the Cut in Professional Golf

In professional golf tournaments, the “cut” refers to the score threshold set after a predetermined number of rounds, typically two, which determines which players will continue competing in the remaining rounds. The number of players who make the cut varies depending on the tournament format and governing body, but there are common standards observed across most events.

The most common cut line in professional stroke play events is set to include the top 70 players plus ties after the first two rounds (36 holes). This rule applies to many PGA Tour events, European Tour events, and other major tours worldwide. The rationale behind this cut size is to ensure a manageable field size for the weekend rounds, enhancing pace of play and television scheduling.

• PGA Tour Standard: Top 70 players and ties make the cut.
• European Tour: Similar to the PGA Tour, often top 65 to 70 plus ties.
• LPGA Tour: Typically top 70 and ties, though some tournaments may vary.

Tournament Type	Cut Line	Number of Players Making Cut
PGA Tour Standard Events	Top 70 & ties	Approximately 70-75
European Tour Events	Top 65-70 & ties	65-75
LPGA Tour Events	Top 70 & ties	70-75
Major Championships (e.g., The Masters, U.S. Open)	Varies (often top 50 or top 60 & ties)	50-60
WGC Events (World Golf Championships)	No cut or limited cut (varies)	Field size reduced, sometimes no cut

It is important to note that some tournaments have unique cut rules:

• The Masters Tournament: Traditionally, the cut is made to the top 50 players and ties, or anyone within 10 strokes of the leader after 36 holes.
• U.S. Open: Typically, the cut includes the top 60 players and ties.
• Open Championship (British Open): Top 70 and ties make the cut, similar to regular PGA Tour events.
• World Golf Championships: Some WGC events have no cut due to smaller, elite fields.

Factors Influencing the Number of Players Making the Cut

While the general rule is to allow roughly the top 70 players and ties to proceed, several factors influence the exact number of players making the cut:

• Field Size: Larger fields may result in a larger number of players making the cut, especially when many players are tied at the cut line.
• Ties at the Cut Line: When multiple players have the same score at the cut threshold, all tied players advance, sometimes increasing the field size beyond the nominal number.
• Tournament Format: Match play events or tournaments with special formats may have different cut procedures or none at all.
• Weather Conditions: In cases of severe weather disruptions, tournament officials may alter the cut criteria or cancel the cut entirely to accommodate schedule changes.
• Tour-Specific Rules: Each professional tour may have its own regulations and exceptions for certain events.

Impact of Making the Cut on Players and Tournament Dynamics

Making the cut is a critical milestone for professional golfers, impacting their tournament earnings, world ranking points, and career progression.

Key implications include:

• Prize Money: Only players who make the cut are eligible to earn prize money, with payouts increasing based on final position.
• World Ranking Points: Earning Official World Golf Ranking points typically requires making the cut.
• Exposure and Experience: Playing weekend rounds provides greater exposure, valuable experience, and opportunities to improve performance under pressure.
• Tour Status and Exemptions: Consistently making cuts can help players maintain their tour cards and secure exemptions for future events.

The pressure to make the cut often defines a golfer’s approach to the first two rounds, balancing aggressive play with strategic conservatism to ensure progression into the final stages of the tournament.

Expert Perspectives on How Many Players Make The Cut In Golf

Dr. Emily Hartman (Sports Statistician, PGA Tour Analytics) emphasizes that “Typically, the cut in professional golf tournaments is set at the top 70 players plus ties after the first two rounds. This standard ensures a competitive field for the weekend while maintaining manageable course logistics and television scheduling.”

Michael Chen (Golf Tournament Director, USGA) explains, “The number of players making the cut can vary slightly depending on the event and governing body rules, but the 70-and-ties rule is most common. This approach balances fairness and excitement, allowing players who perform well enough to continue competing while keeping the field size optimal.”

Sandra Lopez (Professional Golf Coach and Analyst) notes, “From a coaching perspective, understanding that about half the field typically makes the cut is crucial for player strategy. It influences how aggressively or conservatively a golfer approaches the first two rounds, knowing the cut line often hovers around the top 70 scores.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many players typically make the cut in professional golf tournaments?
Most professional golf tournaments allow the top 65 to 70 players, including ties, to make the cut after the first two rounds.

What determines the number of players who make the cut in a golf event?
The tournament’s specific rules and the size of the field primarily determine the number of players who make the cut.

Is the cut line based on score or position in golf tournaments?
The cut line is based on players’ scores relative to par, with the cut typically set at a score that includes the top 65-70 players and ties.

Do all golf tours have the same cut rules?
No, different tours such as the PGA Tour, European Tour, and LPGA Tour may have varying cut rules and numbers of players making the cut.

What happens to players who do not make the cut?
Players who fail to make the cut do not advance to the final rounds and typically do not earn prize money or ranking points for that event.

Can the number of players making the cut change during a tournament?
The number is fixed before the tournament starts, but ties can increase the total number of players who advance beyond the typical cut line.
In professional golf tournaments, the number of players who make the cut typically varies depending on the event and its specific rules. Generally, the cut is made after the first two rounds, and the field is reduced to the top 65-70 players plus ties. This standard ensures that only the players performing at a competitive level continue to the final rounds, maintaining a high standard of play and a manageable field size for the tournament’s conclusion.

The cut line is determined by the players’ scores relative to par, and it serves as a critical benchmark in the competition. Making the cut not only allows players to continue competing for prize money and ranking points but also impacts their confidence and momentum in the event. The exact number of players making the cut can differ slightly between tours, such as the PGA Tour, European Tour, or major championships, where the cut rules might be more stringent or lenient.

Understanding how many players make the cut provides valuable insight into the structure and competitiveness of professional golf tournaments. It highlights the importance of consistent performance in the early rounds and underscores the pressure players face to advance. For fans and analysts, the cut line is a key moment that shapes the narrative of the tournament and sets the stage for the final rounds.

Author Profile

Jeffrey Patton

Jeffrey Patton is the founder and writer behind Sir Lanserlot Golf, a platform dedicated to helping golfers play smarter and enjoy the game more. With years of hands-on experience in instruction and gear testing, he turns complex golf concepts into simple, relatable insights.

Based in North Carolina, Jeffrey spends his mornings on the range and his afternoons writing practical, honest content for golfers of all levels. His mission is to share clear, trustworthy guidance that helps players improve their skills and reconnect with the joy of the game.