As of Friday morning, the projected cut line for the 2026 Masters is +3. Following the completion of Round 1, defending champion Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns share the lead at -5, setting a competitive pace at Augusta National. Under the current Masters tournament rules, only the top 50 players (plus ties) will advance to play the weekend. With uncharacteristically firm conditions and light winds forecast for Friday afternoon, experts expect the cut line to fluctuate between +2 and +4 as the second round concludes.
Masters Cut Rules Explained
Unlike other PGA Tour events that often take the top 65 or 70 players, Augusta National maintains one of the most exclusive cuts in golf.
- The Rule: The top 50 players on the leaderboard, including all players tied for 50th place, make the cut.
- The “10-Shot Rule”: Note that the old rule (where anyone within 10 shots of the lead made the cut) was permanently removed in 2020. Only the Top 50 and ties move on to Saturday.
Current 2026 Masters Leaderboard (After Round 1)
| Position | Player | Score |
| T1 | Rory McIlroy | -5 |
| T1 | Sam Burns | -5 |
| T3 | Patrick Reed | -3 |
| T3 | Jason Day | -3 |
| T3 | Kurt Kitayama | -3 |
| T6 | Scottie Scheffler | -2 |
| T6 | Xander Schauffele | -2 |
Who is on the Bubble? (The “Cut Watch” List)
Based on the current leaderboard, several major champions and fan favorites are in danger of missing the weekend. They will need a strong Friday to survive.
Likely Safe (Even to +2)
- Brooks Koepka (E): After a steady opening round, the five-time major winner is in a safe position but needs to avoid a “big number” on Friday.
- Jordan Spieth (E): Always a favorite at Augusta, Spieth is currently safe but needs his putter to heat up to stay inside the Top 50.
- Ethan Fang (+2): Currently the leading amateur in the field, Fang is surprisingly well-positioned to make the weekend.
The Danger Zone (+3 to +5)
- Viktor Hovland (+3): One bad hole on Friday could end his tournament.
- Zach Johnson (+3): The former champion is right on the projected number.
- Bryson DeChambeau (+4): After a disappointing 76, DeChambeau must go under par on Friday to guarantee a spot.
Massive Climb Needed (+6 and Over)
- Jon Rahm (+6): The 2023 champion struggled in Round 1 and likely needs a round of 68 or better on Friday to have a chance at making the cut.
Friday Weather Impact at Augusta
Weather will play a factor in the final cut number. Friday’s forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of 79°F and light winds (6-12 MPH). While the wind is manageable, the lack of rain means the greens are getting faster and firmer. If the course continues to dry out, we could see the cut line slide toward +4 as scoring becomes more difficult for the afternoon wave.
2026 Masters Tournament Resources
To stay updated on all the action from Augusta National, check out our comprehensive guides and printable schedules:
- 2026 Masters Tee Times: Full Round 2 Pairings and TV Schedule – See exactly when the leaders and the “bubble” players tee off on Friday.
- Printable 2026 Masters Tournament Tracker (PDF) – Our custom, ink-saving PDF to track every player’s score through all four rounds.
- How to Watch the 2026 Masters: Streaming & TV Guide – Never miss a shot with our breakdown of Featured Groups, Amen Corner coverage, and NBC/Peacock broadcast times.
Masters Cut Line FAQ
Question: How many players make the cut at the Masters? Answer: The top 50 players, including those tied for 50th place, make the cut at the Masters.
Question: What is the projected 2026 Masters cut line? Answer: The current projected cut line is +3. However, depending on Friday afternoon’s scoring conditions, this could move to +2 or +4.
Question: Did Tiger Woods make the cut in 2026? Answer: No, Tiger Woods is not participating in the 2026 Masters.
Question: Is the 10-shot rule still in effect at the Masters? Answer: No. Augusta National eliminated the 10-shot rule in 2020. Now, only the Top 50 and ties advance.
