Masters cut line 2018: Patrick Reed’s hot start could send Tiger Woods packing
Tiger recovered on the back nine to advance to the championship rounds.
The rules for making it to the championship rounds at the 2018 Masters are as simple as they’ve always been; you either need to be in the top 50 or within 10 strokes of the leader when the final group closes out on Friday night. With a tightly packed field jockeying for position after a difficult day two, this year’s tournament could feature more weekend golfers than ever before.
As of midday Friday, 69 golfers were in line to qualify for the event’s final two rounds — five more than the 64 who made the cut in 1966 to set the course record. That could set the stage for a frenzied finish at Augusta National Golf Club. Top 10 staples like Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Rickie Fowler all remained within striking distance of taking home the coveted green jacket that comes with victory at the one of the PGA Tour’s most important tournaments.
But Patrick Reed has put in work to single-handedly shrink the field. His -5 run through the front nine cut Saturday’s start list will be limited to 50 competitors. That looked bad news for Tiger Woods — a 12th hole bogey put him at +5 for the tournament and left him on the outside looking in for a spot in the final two rounds. Birdies on the 13th and 15th holes put him back on the happy side of the cut, however ... for now.
What does the cut line mean?
Almost all PGA Tour events are four day affairs, with the final two rounds designated as the championship rounds. Qualifying for those days — typically Saturday and Sunday — doesn’t just ensure a chance to top the leaderboard when all is said and done, but also determines who does and doesn’t earn a part of the event’s total purse. Missing the cut means no prize money.
There’s a price of admission to make it to those championship rounds. The cut line separates the contenders from the rest of the crowd, ensuring only the best make it to the weekend. At most PGA Tour events, that line stops after the golfer in 70th place after two rounds. Some others use a general rule that welcomes anyone within 10 strokes of the lead to complete the event.
What’s the cut at the 2018 Masters?
The Masters touts itself as “a tradition unlike any other,” and its cut line is no different. To qualify for the championship rounds, competitors have to either finish Friday in the top 50 or stand within 10 strokes of the leader.
In 2017, that meant 53 players made the cut. In 2018, that number could be way higher. A crowded field with no breakaway leader means there will be a bottleneck of players within striking distance of the top spot. The cut could end the tournament for fewer than 20 golfers after round two.
What notable names are in danger of missing out on the championship rounds?
There’s still time for comebacks, but a handful of well known golfers could wind up leaving Georgia early. Sergio Garcia is unlikely to defend his 2017 title after tying a course record by carding a 13 on the par-5 15th hole Thursday. 2008 champion Trevor Immelman improved on his 6-over Thursday with a stronger showing Friday, but still stands on the wrong side of the cut line. 2009 green jacket winner Angel Cabrera’s 11-bogey second round seems likely to doom him.
Familiar older names like Mark O’Meara, Ian Woosnam, and Larry Mize are all projected to make early exits as well.