What is the U.S. Open cut rule, and how is the cut line determined?
CMC U.S. Open

What is the US Open 36-hole cut rule, and how is the cut line determined?

Credit: Keith Leventhal/Golf News Net, Cannot Be Used Without Permission


At the end of the second round of the US Open, a cut is made to reduce the field for the final two rounds. The US Open cut rule is determined is a little bit different than the three other majors and from week-to-week on the PGA Tour.

The US Open cut line is that the top 60 players and ties make the cut. There is no 10-Shot Rule, which would also include any player within 10 shots of the lead.

The US Open cut rule is among the strictest in the majors. The PGA Championship cut rule is to the top 70 and ties, while the Masters cut rule is to the top 50 and ties, meaning more than half of most Masters fields makes the cut. The Open Championship cut rule is also to the top 70 and ties.

Week-to-week, the PGA Tour cut rule is to the top 65 players and ties after two rounds.

LISTEN TO GOLF NEWS NET RADIO 24/7
FOLLOW GOLF NEWS NET RADIO: iHEART | TUNEIN

The US Open cut rule doesn't account for a difference between professionals and amateurs. They're treated the same by the US Golf Association.

About the author

Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is currently a +2.6 USGA handicap, and he has covered dozens of major championships and professional golf tournaments. He likes writing about golf and making it more accessible by answering the complex questions fans have about the pro game or who want to understand how to play golf better.

Ryan talks about golf on various social platforms:

X or Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanballengee
Facebook: https://facebook.com/ryanballengeegolf
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanballengee
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanballengeegolf

Ballengee can be reached by email at ryan[at]thegolfnewsnet.com

Ryan occasionally links to merchants of his choosing, and GNN may earn a commission from sales generated by those links. See more in GNN's affiliate disclosure.