The documented Masters cut takes the low 50 players and ties after 36 holes. If 48 golfers have better scores than a group of five tied at the next score, all five tied players qualify. That produces 53 qualifiers.
Build the boundary from completed scores
This original example contains 48 players whose 36-hole totals are lower than 145. Another five finish on 145. Those five share the next position, tied 49th, because 48 players are ahead of them. The group crosses the nominal 50-player threshold together.
The qualifying score is therefore 145 in this example, and the count is 48+5=53. The next player on 146 is outside that boundary. The precise score of 145 is invented for the arithmetic. The actual score for an edition depends on its completed leaderboard.
Count the tied group
| Group | Number of players | Cumulative count |
|---|---|---|
| Lower than 145 | 48 | 48 |
| Tied on 145 | 5 | 53, all in |
| Next score 146 | Any | Outside this example’s boundary |
A leaderboard position can skip numbers
After five players share tied 49th, the next individual position reflects the number already ahead. The tie notation groups equal scores even if the screen displays the names on separate lines. Include each member of that tied group in the count.
Another original case starts with 49 players ahead of a three-person group. Those three are tied 50th, so 52 qualify. If exactly 50 players are ahead of a group, that group begins tied 51st and is outside the low 50 and ties boundary. The count ahead of the group tells you which situation applies.
Use the completed decision to confirm a player’s place
During the second round, some players have completed 36 holes while others are still playing. A displayed projection can change as later scores alter how many players sit above or at the boundary. Use the completed official decision when deciding whether an individual has qualified for the next round.
The PGA TOUR’s Masters explanation documents the removal of the former ten-shot rule. For this cut, use the low 50 and ties criterion even when another player is within ten strokes of the leader. Check the event name and edition because other major championships set different cut rules.
To check an individual, find the completed cut and compare the player’s score to the included boundary. If the player shares the boundary score, count that place as included. The resulting group qualifies for continued play and the subsequent rounds determine its final standings. If the 50th score is held by exactly one player, the included field in that case is exactly 50. The tie rule only expands the field when an equal score crosses the boundary.
Sources and review
- What is the cut at the Masters? — PGA TOUR