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British Open Cut Rule Explained

By Daniel Wilco
Published on

The British Open -- the oldest of golf’s four majors -- has just one cut, which takes place halfway through play. Here’s how it works at the Open Championship:
  • There is just one cut, which takes place after 36 holes.
  • Any player in 70th place or better (including ties) makes the cut and will continue to play the final 36 holes. Anyone in 71st place or worse is cut.
The cut line should reduce the field by about half, though when ties are taken into account, the exact number can vary widely. Unlike some tournament cut lines, there is no 10-shot rule, which would guarantee any player within 10 shots of the lead would make the cut.

The Open’s current format is what’s known as a single cut, though the championship was played under a double cut rule from 1968 through 1985, with one cut after 36 holes, and another after 54 holes.
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