Breaking down cut line for the 2022 U.S. Open

Update 6:30 p.m. We have 64 players at +3 or better, with 11 on the number exactly. With every player on the course through at least the 12th hole, it feels like the 18 players +4 won’t get a chance to play the weekend.

Those 18 include James Piot, the 2021 U.S. Amateur champion.

Update 4:10 p.m. There are 70 golfers at +3 or better, with 13 of them exactly on the number as the last players are through their first four holes today.

That means Jason Kokrak and Jim Furyk will likely finish one shot light, as they’re both finished at +4 for the tournament. But Tyrrell Hatton survived with a 72-71 to open, and his +3 is very likely good enough to have a tee time tomorrow.

Update 2:45 p.m. There are currently 72 players at +3 or better, with 15 of them exactly on +3 as the last tee times of the day play away.

Sergio Garcia and Mito Pereira will need a miracle meltdown from the field, as both are finished at +4 for the championship. The same for Shane Lowry, who was tipped by many to play well at Brookline this week. Harold Varner is +4 as well, but has 14 holes left be at least one shot under par to play the weekend.

Update 1:15 p.m. The line has moved to +3, and with 63 players on that number or better, it could even fall to +4 before the end of play today, which would add another 15 competitors currently.

Tyrrell Hatton is in the house at +3 and is likely safe, and Bryson DeChambeau is finished at +2, which is the rare bright spot for the LIV Tour players relative to the cut.

Update 11:00 a.m. The number is still +2, but with just 63 players currently on that score or better. With the course getting harder this afternoon, we’ll see if that number can hold or if the 24 players now at +3 are brought into the picture.

Mito Pereria, Viktor Hovland, and Tony Finau are all on +3 thru 12 or 13 holes right now, so they will want at least a birdie to ensure they’re playing the weekend.

The second round of the 2022 U.S. Open begins on Friday with Adam Hadwin at the leader at -4 after the first 18 holes from The Country Club at Brookline, Massachusetts.

The first trios tee off on Friday at 6:40 a.m. ET, with the afternoon groups beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET. It should be about 2-3 p.m. before we have a solid idea of what the final cut line should be, but many participants will know they’re heading home after holing out on 18.

How is the cut line determined?

Unlike most PGA Tour events, the USGA establishes the cut line after the first 36 holes as the top 60 players plus those tied at the end of that group. Usually that number is 65 or 70 plus ties at a TOUR event, but it’s likely a majority of the 156-player field will have their tournament end today.

What is the projected cut line for the U.S. Open as of now?

Entering the second round, the cut line is expected to be +2. There are 78 players tied on that number or better entering Friday.

Who is not projected to make the cut?

Phil Mickelson shot a +8 78 on Thursday and is likely heading home, alongside his fellow LIV players Louis Oosthuizen (+7) and Branden Grace (+6). Both Russell Henley (+6) and Sepp Straka (+7) would need to go extremely low today to have any chance of playing on Saturday.