You’re sitting on the edge of your couch, watching the afternoon shadows stretch across the 18th green at Augusta National. It’s Friday. The birds are chirping, the azaleas look fake they're so perfect, and the leaderboard is a mess. One big question usually starts trending right about now: how many make the cut at the Masters?
If you’re used to standard PGA Tour events where 65 players plus ties stick around, Augusta is going to feel a little claustrophobic. It’s the smallest field in major championship golf. Because of that, the invitation to play the weekend is one of the hardest tickets to punch in the sport.
The Current Rule: 50 is the Magic Number
Basically, the rule is simple now, though it wasn’t always this way. After 36 holes, only the top 50 players and ties advance to Saturday and Sunday.
That’s it. No "10-shot rule." No safety net.
If you are sitting in T51 and you’re only five shots off the lead? Tough. You’re heading home. Augusta National is famously traditional, but they aren't afraid to tighten the screws when they feel like the weekend field is getting too bloated.
For a long time, there was this famous loophole. If you were within 10 strokes of the leader, you made it, regardless of where you sat on the leaderboard. It created some chaotic Saturday mornings where 65 or 70 guys were still in the mix. But the tournament committee axed that in 2020. They realized that almost nobody coming from 10 shots back on a Friday ever actually wore the Green Jacket on Sunday.
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Why the Masters Cut is Different
The Masters usually has a field of around 85 to 95 players. Compare that to the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship, which regularly start with 156 golfers.
Because the starting line is so small, the percentage of players who make the cut is actually quite high compared to other majors. You've basically got a 50/50 shot of playing the weekend just by showing up. But honestly, that’s deceptive.
Think about who is in that field:
- Past Champions: Some are in their 60s and 70s. They play for the tradition, but they rarely sniff the weekend scores.
- Amateurs: High-level kids, but Augusta eats first-timers for breakfast.
- International invites: Great players who might not be used to the specific speed of these bentgrass greens.
When you filter out the ceremonial entries, that "top 50" becomes a shark tank. In 2025, for example, we saw a cut line of +2. It was a stressful Friday for everyone not named Rory McIlroy.
A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane
The cut didn't even exist when the tournament started back in 1934. Everyone played all four days. It wasn't until 1957 that the club decided they needed to trim the fat.
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- 1957–1961: Top 40 and ties.
- 1962–2012: Top 44 and ties, plus the 10-shot rule.
- 2013–2019: Top 50 and ties, plus the 10-shot rule.
- 2020–Present: Top 50 and ties. Only.
What Does the Score Usually Look Like?
Predicting the cut line at Augusta is sorta like predicting the weather in the Georgia pines—impossible until it happens.
If the wind stays down and the greens are soft, the cut might be even par or +1. If the wind gusts at 25 mph and the greens turn into glass? We’ve seen it balloon to +5 or +6. In 2024, the cut was a bruising +6. The year before? +3.
It’s all about the "defenses" of the course. Augusta doesn’t have thick, US Open-style rough. It has "second cut" that’s barely an inch high. Its defense is its undulation. If you’re on the wrong side of a ridge, you aren't just missing the birdie; you're looking at a 40-foot par putt that might roll off the green.
The Heartbreak of the 36th Hole
There is nothing quite like the "Cut Line Watch" on Friday afternoon. You’ll see a guy like Tiger Woods or Justin Thomas grinding over a four-footer on the 18th just to finish at +3, hoping the leaders don't birdie the last few holes and move the line to +2.
If the leader moves to -8, and the 50th person is at +3, the cut stays. But if a few more guys drop to +4, and the leader doesn't move, the line might shift. It’s a living, breathing thing.
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Most people don't realize that making the cut at the Masters also guarantees you a check. Unlike regular tour stops where missing the cut means you worked for free all week, Augusta National actually pays everyone in the field. Even if you finish last, you’re getting a few thousand dollars just for the privilege of being there. But let’s be real—none of these guys are there for the five-grand "consolation" check. They want the jacket.
Getting Ready for the Weekend
If you’re trying to keep track of how many make the cut at the Masters this year, keep an eye on the "Projected Cut" on the official app. It’s incredibly accurate because it uses live data and historical hole difficulty.
Here is how you can stay ahead of the drama:
- Watch the early starters: If the morning wave is shooting 68s, the cut line is going to be low.
- Check the wind: Augusta is a bowl. Wind swirls. If it picks up at 2:00 PM, the afternoon wave will struggle, and the cut line will move toward the higher scores.
- Look at the par 5s: If the field isn't birdying 13 and 15, the cut line will be much higher than expected.
The cut is the first major hurdle. For some, it’s a relief. For the greats, it’s just the permission slip to start the real tournament on Saturday morning.
If you want to dive deeper into the specific leaderboard math, you can check out the live scores on the official Masters website or download their app, which is widely considered the best in sports. Watch the T50 spot—that's where the real heart hangs every Friday.