Challenges at Augusta National
Augusta National is never an easy course to play, but the combination of wind and a firm playing surface made it particularly challenging during Thursday’s first round. After two days of competition, cuts have been made, and several high-profile golfers have seen their weekends come to an end.
One of the most notable exits was Bryson DeChambeau, who struggled with bunker issues, leading to a 6-over finish after two rounds. This marked his departure from contention for his first green jacket. Similarly, J.J. Spaun, the 2025 U.S. Open champion, had his Masters weekend cut short on Friday with a 5-over score. Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters winner, also fell short, finishing at 5-over par.
Akshay Bhatia, the winner of this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, was another player who couldn’t make the cut, finishing at 6-over. Rasmus Hojgaard managed to birdie hole No. 18 to stay just above the cut line, while his identical twin, Nicolai, finished at 6-over, ending his weekend.
Masters Cut Line in 2026
The cut line for the 2026 Masters was set at +4. This means that only the top 50 players, plus those tied, will advance to the weekend. Currently, there are 55 players in line to make the cut, with the line starting at +2 on Friday and moving throughout the day.
In previous years, the cut line has varied. In 2025, it was 2-over par, while in 2024, it reached as high as 6-over. The rule change in 2020, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed to keep the weekend field smaller by limiting the number of players advancing.
Players Who Missed the Cut
As of Friday evening, several prominent golfers were below the cut line. These include:
- J.J. Spaun (+5)
- Bubba Watson (+5)
- Danny Willett (+5)
- Nicolai Hojgaard (+6)
- Bryson DeChambeau (+6)
- Akshay Bhatia (+6)
- Zach Johnson (+6)
- Cameron Smith (+7)
- Robert MacIntyre (+7)
- Fred Couples (+9)
- Min Woo Lee (+11)
- Nico Echavarria (+13)
Understanding the Masters Cut Rules
The Masters cut rule is unique among the four major golf tournaments. Only the top 50 players (plus ties) make the cut, which makes it more difficult compared to other majors. Before the 2020 rule change, the cut was based on being within 10 strokes of the leader after 36 holes, in addition to the top 50 players. This allowed for a larger field to advance to the weekend.
The current rule ensures that the Masters maintains a more exclusive and competitive atmosphere. For comparison, the U.S. Open allows the top 60 players to make the cut, while the PGA Championship and the Open Championship allow the top 70.
How Many Players Make the Cut?
This year, 91 golfers teed off at Augusta, but not all will make it to the weekend. Only the top 50 (plus ties) will advance, meaning many players will have to watch the rest of the action from the sidelines.
In 2025, 53 golfers made the cut, while 60 did so in 2024 due to a large number of players tying for positions. The cut line can fluctuate depending on the performance of the field, making it an unpredictable aspect of the tournament.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Masters has already seen some dramatic exits, with several big names falling short of the cut. As the tournament progresses, the remaining players will face even greater challenges on one of the most iconic courses in the world. Whether they can rise to the occasion remains to be seen.
