Breaking down cut line for 2023 Masters

The 2023 Masters has opened the second round and we are off and running. Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm, and Brooks Koepka shot 65 on the first day and open the second round for first. They are two shots up on Cameron Young and Jason Day. Defending champ Scottie Scheffler shot -4 in the first round while Tiger Woods shot +2.

The second round could see a rain delay at some point, so it’s possible we don’t get through the round by the close of Friday. Regardless, the field will cut down to the top 50 players and ties once the round wraps.

How is the cut line determined?

The cut line at 36 holes is the top 50 players plus those tied at the end of that group. There used to be a rule that allowed anybody within ten shots of the lead to make the cut, but that was eliminated in 2020.

What is the projected cut line for the Masters as of now?

Saturday 10:15 a.m. There are two men left on the course that can affect the cut, and one of them in Justin Thomas did with a bogey on No. 17. The line has moved to +3, and unless he makes a birdie at the difficult No. 18, it looks like Charl Schwartzel, Billy Horschel, Scott Stallings, Thomas Pieters, and some young up-and-comer named Tiger Woods will all survive to the weekend because of it.

Saturday 9:45 a.m. DataGolf thinks it’s most likely +2, but could move to +3.

Saturday 9:30 a.m. — 52 players are at +2 or better, and the line has held consistent despite the massive change in conditions. There’s a chance it could go to +3 if the players on the course struggle coming home, but it will certainly go no lower than +2.

5:45 p.m. — The cut remains at +2, as does Tiger Woods, and play has been suspended for the rest of the day due to weather.

2:30 p.m. — The cut is still +2, with 52 players at that number or better, and three exactly on the number. That includes Tiger Woods thru his first five holes on the round.

And the weather that has been anticipated hasn’t quite hit yet, so the scoring conditions remain pretty favorable at least for now.

12:45 p.m. — The cut has moved to +2, which brings Tiger Woods into play if he can shoot even on his second round. He’s about to tee off from No. 1 in just a few moments.

There are 55 players at +2 or better, and with conditions likely to get worse, that should at least be the number after today. Look for those on the course to play as quickly as they can, as they’ll want to get as many holes in as possible before the weather turns.

11:45 a.m. — The cut is still set at +1, with 51 players still at that number or better. But with the weather about to take a turn at Augusta, those with the early tee times today might be very thankful as conditions are about to deteriorate and thunderstorms are coming.

Brooks Koepka is the current leader at -11 thru 13 holes of his second round.

9 a.m. — The cut is projected to be +1. Currently, 51 players are projected to make the cut. Most of the field has not gotten started, so we’re a long way off from the final cut.

Who is not projected to make the cut?

Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau are the two biggest names sitting on the wrong side of the cut line at +2.