Learning how to read and keep track of work lines is crucial in golf. Different tournaments have different line cuts. The line cut is an important part of any golf tournament, as it determines who moves on to the final rounds. The line cut in PGA tournaments is determined by the score of the 65th player in the standings.
Cut Line Definition
The dividing line establishes which golfers progress to the ultimate stages in golf. It distinguishes golfers who have been eliminated from the competition from those who are still participating.
For example, in a standard 132-player PGA Tour tournament, those golfers who are ranked below 65th place and have scores that tie them for 65th place are sent home. The players who continue to compete and stay in order to advance are those whose scores cut the line itself after the first two rounds of the tournament.
Why Do Golf Tournaments Have Cut Lines?
There are two primary rationales for implementing cut lines in golf tournaments: field control and adherence to a specific format. The initial reason, field control, stems from the fact that golf tournaments commence with a large number of participants. Consequently, individuals are typically organized into groups of three during the first two rounds. Field control serves as the first motive for implementing cut lines, alongside the objective of fulfilling a specific format. Thus, there exist two primary justifications.
In order for a tournament to operate as intended, it is necessary to establish a predetermined number of cuts. The designated format is satisfied when the cut line also serves the purpose of identifying the players who have a potential to win or perform well. The tournament organizers can gain a deeper insight into the players who have a chance to win or finish strongly by reducing the field. The superiority of those who have a higher likelihood of advancing to the finals or possess sufficient skill becomes more apparent following these initial rounds.
Cut Lines for Different Tournaments
The cut line consisted of the top 65 players, resulting in only 71 golfers advancing to the third round of the tournament. The final score required to make the cut line for the 2022 Players Championship was +2. This was due to the fact that the entire tournament comprised only 72 holes.
The level of rivalry and the quantity of contenders establish its own threshold for each tour or tournament. On the LPGA Tour, the threshold is set at the top 70 players and ties, whereas on the PGA Tour, one of the most renowned golf tournaments worldwide, the European Tour, and the Korn Ferry Tour, the threshold is set at the top 65 players and ties.
How Is the Cut Line Determined?
In a typical PGA golf tournament, the cut line is the score of the professional player who ranks the lowest at 65th place. These two days, Friday and Thursday, are used to determine the rankings going into the weekend. If you qualify for a golf tournament, you will have to play during the hours of the week when you usually work.
In order to become the champion of the tournament, the determination of who ends up playing in the final round will depend on who qualifies for the next round with a higher cut than the other players; if there is a tie after 36 holes, a higher line cut will be used. Some tournaments also use a cut-hole system at 54 holes, where players with a score better than or equal to the cut-hole continue competing and stay in the tournament.
FAQ
How does a cut line work?
Golfers who are tied or have scores above the line cut advance to the final rounds of the tournament. The golfers’ scores are ranked after the initial rounds of the tournament. A line cut determines which golfers advance to the final rounds of the tournament.
What is the PGA cut line?
The score of the golfer in 65th place serves as the cut line in PGA Tour tournaments. Additionally, all golfers who are tied with the 65th place advance. In LPGA Tour tournaments, the cut line is set at 70, thus the advancing group encompasses all golfers who tie or surpass the 70th place position.
