The "cut" at the US Open golf tournament refers to the process after the first 36 holes (two rounds) where only the top 60 players (including ties) on the leaderboard advance to play the final two rounds on the weekend. This cut rule means more than half of the starting field, which is typically 156 players, will be eliminated and not play the last two rounds. Unlike some other major golf tournaments, the US Open does not use a "10-shot rule" anymore, which previously allowed players within 10 strokes of the leader to make the cut. The current cut rule ensures a maximum of the top 60 plus ties continue, making the US Open cut one of the toughest in professional golf. For comparison, the Masters takes the top 50 plus ties, and the PGA Championship and The Open take the top 70 plus ties. The cutline score can vary year to year, affected by the toughness of the course setup. For example, at the 2025 US Open, the projected cut line was around +4 to +5 over par. The highest cut line ever recorded was 15-over-par in 1955, and the lowest in recent history was 2-over-par in 2023. In summary, the cut at the US Open:
- Happens after 36 holes (two rounds)
- Advances the top 60 players plus ties to the weekend rounds
- Is stricter compared to other majors
- Is designed to limit the field for the final rounds to maintain pace and course management
This cut system is recognized for maintaining the difficulty and prestige of the US Open competition.
