U.S. Open projected cut: Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler in danger of missing weekend

Patrick Cantlay, Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Aberg highlight the top of the leaderboard at the U.S. Open as they’ve managed to keep their scores in the red numbers. But while they’ve been able to tame Pinehurst No. 2 over the course of the first couple days, not everyone has been so successful.

Just 15 players broke par during Thursday’s opening round when the scoring average was more than three three strokes over par. For many of those who saw their scores balloon on Thursday, they’ll be battling to make the cut during Round 2.

Here’s who’s in danger of heading home early from Pinehurst.

How does the U.S. Open cutline work?

The cutline at the U.S. Open is simple. At the conclusion of 36 holes, only the top 60 players, including ties, make the cut. This is slightly more stringent than the PGA Championship and Open Championship, each of which take the top 70 players and ties. The Masters, which begins the week with a limited field, makes their cut at the top 50 players and ties.

What is the U.S. Open cutline?

As of 2:30 p.m. ET, the current cutline at the U.S. Open sits at three over. However, with the morning wave just finishing up and half the field still waiting to tee off for Round 2, that number will likely go higher as the afternoon progresses. According to Data Golf, the cutline is currently projected to move to five over, with a 71.3 percent chance of that outcome.

This post will be updated throughout the afternoon as the cutline changes.

Who’s in danger of missing the cut?

Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, is in danger of missing the cut as he finishes his second round. After carding two bogeys and a double in Round 2, he posted a Friday 74 that leaves him five over for the championship. Should the cutline come at four over, he will be ending his week early.

Tiger Woods, who’s playing in the early-late wave, shot 74 in Round 1 and teed off for his second round squarely on the projected cutline. If he were to miss the cut, it would mark just the second time in his career that he has missed back-to-back cuts.

Check out below for a full list of notable players in danger of missing the cut:

Tiger Woods +3 (4)
Cameron Young +5 (F)
Dustin Johnson +4 (F)
Scottie Scheffler +5 (F)
Will Zalatoris +6 (4)
Max Homa +6 (F)
Sahith Theegala +6 (1)
Viktor Hovland +7 (F)
Justin Thomas +7 (F)
Jason Day +8 (F)
Phil Mickelson +9 (2)

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.