When you're watching the early rounds of the Masters Tournament and see MC pop up next to a player's name on the vibrant green leaderboard, it means they have Missed the Cut. This article will break down exactly what the Masters cut rule is, how it has evolved, and why making or missing the cut is one of the most suspenseful parts of the entire tournament.
In the simplest terms, MC stands for "Missed Cut." In professional golf tournaments that span four days (typically Thursday to Sunday), a cut is made after the first two rounds (36 holes) to reduce the size of the field for the weekend. Only the players with the best scores get to continue playing on Saturday and Sunday. Those who "miss the cut" are eliminated from the tournament,their official final standing is noted as MC, they pack their bags, and they do not get paid prize money for the week (with a few exceptions).
The cut is a fondamental part of tour life. It introduces a high-stakes, pressure-packed dynamic halfway through the tournament. For players hovering around the cut line on Friday afternoon, every single shot carries enormous weight. It's a dramatic subplot that makes the second round arguably as exciting as the final round.
While most major championships have a cut rule, each one has its own specific criteria. The Masters, being its own unique invitational tournament, has a specific rule that has changed over time.
The current Masters cut rule is beautifully simple: The top 50 players and any player tied with the 50th-place player after 36 holes make the cut and get to play the weekend.
Let's walk through an example to see how this works in practice:
This rule ensures that a competitive number of players advance to the weekend, keeping the rounds from becoming too long and crowded, which is an important consideration on a challenging course like Augusta National.
If you've followed golf for a while, you might remember a slightly different rule at Augusta. From 2013 to 2019, the Masters used a two-pronged cut rule: the Top 50 and ties PLUS any player within 10 strokes of the leader.
This "10-shot rule" meant that even if a player was outside the top 50, they could still make the weekend if they were reasonably close to the lead. It offered a backdoor for players who had maybe one bad hole but were otherwise playing solid golf. For example, if the leader was at -8, anyone at +2 or better would advance, regardless of their position on the leaderboard.
So, why the change? In 2020, Augusta National Golf Club announced they were dropping the 10-shot portion of the rule and simplifying it to just "Top 50 and ties."
There were two main reasons for this:
This change made the Masters cut a bit more difficult and placed an even greater premium on a strong performance through the first two rounds.
For golf fans, the "cut line watch" is one of the most thrilling parts of Friday at a major. For the players, it’s a mental and emotional grind unlike any other. The difference between making the cut and missing the cut by a single stroke is gigantic.
First and foremost, making the cut means getting a paycheck. The Masters purse is substantial, and even finishing last among those who make the cut results in a significant payment. Missing the cut means going home with nothing but the experience. While Augusta National has recently begun providing a $10,000 stipend to professionals who miss the cut to help with expenses, it pales in comparison to the prize money on offer.
Making the cut at a major championship earns players valuableOfficial World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points and, for PGA Tour members, FedExCup points. These points are vital for qualifying for future majors, gaining entry into other prestigious events, and maintaining Tour status. A missed cut is a missed opportunity to climb those important ladders.
Beyond the money and points, there's the simple pride of playing Augusta National on the weekend. The Masters is the most iconic tournament in the world. Competing for a Green Jacket is the dream of every professional golfer, and you can't do that if you're not there for the final two rounds. Surviving the cut means you've earned a place in the tournament's final chapter for that year.
The pure difficulty of Augusta National, combined with the pressure of a major, means that even the world's best players can fall victim to the cut. It also makes long-lasting cut streaks all the more impressive.
Watching a beloved icon or a World No. 1 player battle to make the cut on Friday adds a layer of soap-opera-like drama to the tournament. Will they birdie the 18th to get in? Will a player already in the clubhouse be "knocked out" as the scores shift? It’s fantastic theater.
Ultimately, seeing "MC" next to a golfer's name at the Masters means they fell short of the "Top 50 and ties" threshold after 36 anr holes. They played their way out of the tournament, missing out on prize money, ranking points, and the chance to compete for a Green Jacket over the weekend.
Watching the pros grapple with the cut line is a great reminder that managing pressure and making smart choices is a fundamental part of golf at every level. While our own weekend rounds might not have a payday on the line, the pressure to avoid a big number on a tough hole can feel just as intense. That’s where we wanted to give every golfer an advantage, which is why we built Caddie AI. The app acts as your personal caddie, helping you think more clearly about your strategy on the course so you can commit to every shot with confidence, avoid those blow-up holes, and enjoy the game more than ever.
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