Breaking down cut line for the 2023 Honda Classic

The PGA TOUR teed off the second round of the 2023 Honda Classic on Friday morning, and a three-way tie of Chris Kirk, Justin Suh, and Carson Young are atop the leaderboard at -7 presently. But we’ll take a look at those players looking to make the weekend, as only the low 65 and ties will survive to play on Saturday.

The first trios teed off on Friday early, with the “afternoon” groups beginning 11:45 a.m. ET. It should be about 1:30-2 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?

The cut line at 36 holes is the top 65 players plus those tied at the end of that group.

What is the projected cut line for the Honda Classic as of now?

Update 7:50 p.m. — There are three players still on the course for Round 2; Pierceson Coody, (finishing on the 9th hole), Brett Drewitt (on 18), and Andrew Novak (18). Coody and Drewitt had a good reason to stop playing: They’re both exactly on the cut at +1. If they both make it, we’ll have 80 players this weekend. Novak is in the right rough on 18, but barring a meltdown he should be fine for Saturday.

Update 7:10 p.m. — With the last groups on 18, about 80 players will be around for the weekend in Palm Beach. +1 will be the number needed, and it looks like about 20 players will be on it exactly heading into tomorrow’s play. It’ll be an expensive weekend for the PGA TOUR as well, as the group will directly pay the prize money all players that don’t make the Top 65, but also made the cut. There will be some valuable FedEx Points for all as well.

Update 6:05 p.m. — It’s a good week to be bad! 80 players are at +1 or better, with the finishing groups on the 15th hole. And since 21 of those players are at even or better, and the last three holes at PGA National are notoriously difficult, it looks like we’re in for well over half the 144 man starting field making the cut this weekend.

That also means we’re looking at threesomes off both tees on Saturday and Sunday.

Update 4:25 p.m. — There are 66 players at even or better yet again, and 16 of them are on level par exactly. 16 players at +1 must sit and wait to see if there’s a spot for them this weekend at PGA National.

Everyone has made the turn at least, so it’s the back nine for both groups that started on Tee No. 1 and Tee No. 10. It’s going to be very close, and either a short or long weekend depending on how many get to put a peg in the ground on Saturday.

Update 2:45 p.m. — We might have spoken too soon, as the +1 players are now in play as exactly 64 golfers are at even or better. If one of them makes a birdie, the 25 currently sitting on +1 would be back off the bubble. This is going to be a wild cut with big implications for FedEx Points and cash. Buckle up, we could be looking at just a couple shots making a difference here as the track hardens in the afternoon.

Update 12:55 p.m. — We’re still at even par as the line, but there are now 71 players with that score or better, and 15 of them at exactly level.

Unfortunately for Ryan Brehm and Cody Gribble, they are both are in the clubhouse at +1, and likely can head home from Palm Beach Gardens.

The projected cut line right now is at even par, with 67 players at that level or better, and 12 of them exactly on the number. But with nice conditions today at PGA National on a flawless Florida day, that could easily move to -1 by the end of play.

Who is not projected to make the cut?

The normally-reliable Camilo Villegas fired a hacker-like +10 80 on Thursday, and he’ll have a leisurely round with what we hope are two new friends today. Harris English is at +4 after 12 holes of his morning round, and barring a birdie blitz on the Bear Trap he’ll also hopefully find a flight out of PBI Airport soon.

The same for Matt Kuchar at +3 thru 13, one of the top 10 on the odds board heading into this event.