Masters Cut Line Hovers at +3 as 2026 Tournament Enters Weekend

Projected cut: At 9:40 a.m. ET on Friday, the tentative cut line for the 2026 Masters sits at +3 over par, based on the scores of the low‑50 and ties.

How the Cut Is Determined

The Augusta National field is reduced after 36 holes to the low 50 players and any ties. The historic 10‑stroke buffer was eliminated years ago, making the cutoff stricter than in the past.

Recent Trends

• 2025’s cut was +2, while 2024 saw a high of +6.
• A live leaderboard shows 56 players currently in contention for the weekend.
• By mid‑afternoon, 42 golfers were at even par or better, and if the field average stays around 74, the cut could slip toward +4 (148).

What It Means for the Field

Players hovering near the +3 mark must either improve their rounds or risk missing the final two days. The tighter rules and recent upward trend in cut lines have turned Thursday’s early rounds into a high‑stakes race for a spot in the coveted weekend.

The final cut will be confirmed after the second round completes, setting the stage for a dramatically reduced field heading into the iconic Sunday showdown.