What Does R4 Mean in a Golf Leaderboard?

If you've ever glanced at a PGA Tour leaderboard during a final round and wondered, What on earth does 'R4' mean?, you’re not alone. This simple article will clear up exactly what R4 means and walk you through all the other common terms and abbreviations you’ll see on a golf leaderboard, turning you into a knowledgeable fan in minutes.

First Things First: What Does R4 Mean?

In the simplest terms, R4 stands for Round 4. This is typically the fourth and final round of a standard professional golf tournament. Most professional stroke-play events on major tours like the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and DP World Tour are played over four days, usually from Thursday to Sunday. R4 represents the scores from that final day of competition - Sunday.

So, when you see a line on the leaderboard that reads:

• Justin Thomas, POS: 3, TO PAR: -12, R4: 68

It means Justin Thomas finished the tournament in 3rd place with a total score of 12-under par. His score for the final round (R4) was 68. Seeing the "R4" column filled in signifies that the player has completed their tournament.

Okay, So What About R1, R2, and R3?

As you've probably guessed, the other "R"s follow the same pattern, representing each of the preceding rounds. Understanding these is the foundational step to reading any golf leaderboard.

R1: Round 1 (Thursday)

This is the opening round of the tournament. The leaderboard is fresh, and every player is starting at Even par (E). The scores posted in this column reflect the player's performance on the first day.

R2: Round 2 (Friday)

This is the second day of the competition. The scores posted in this round are critical because they determine who will continue playing for the weekend. This leads us to one of the most important concepts on a leaderboard: the cut.

R3: Round 3 (Saturday)

For the players who "made the cut" (more on that below), R3 is their Saturday round. Often called "Moving Day," this is when players try to shoot low scores to climb the leaderboard and get into position for a final-round charge on Sunday.

Here’s how an entire tournament for a single player might look condensed onto a leaderboard:

Player: Scottie Scheffler | POS: 1 | TO PAR: -15

• R1: 69
• R2: 70
• R3: 67
• R4: 67

Each of these four scores adds up to his total number of strokes, and that total is compared to the course's par over four rounds to get his final TO PAR score.

A Complete Guide to Other Golf Leaderboard Terms

Understanding "R4" is a great start, but a golf leaderboard is packed with other important pieces of information. Let's break down the other terms you need to know to follow the action like a pro.

The All-Important "CUT"

You’ll often see a solid line drawn across the leaderboard after Friday's second round. This is the "cut line."

• What it is: Most tournaments start with a large field, often around 144 or 156 players. To make the weekend manageable and to reward the top performers, the field is "cut" down after 36 holes (R1 and R2).
• How it works: Typically, the top 65 players (and ties) make the cut and get to play on Saturday and Sunday - and, just as importantly, get paid. Everyone whose score falls below the cut line is sent home and does not earn prize money.
• Example: If the cut line is set at +1 (one-over par), any player with a two-day total of +1, E, -1, -2, etc., will "make the cut." A player who is +2 will "miss the cut."

The Essential Score-Related Terms

• TO PAR: This is the most prominent number next to a player's name. It represents their total score in relation to par for the entire tournament. A score of -10 means the player is ten strokes under par. A score of +3 means they are three over par. You will also see 'E' which stands for 'Even Par.' This total score is what ultimately determines a player's rank.
• TOT: This is another abbreviation for a player's TOTAL score for the tournament. It means the same thing as "TO PAR."
• TODAY: This shows the player's score for the current round only. On Thursday, the "TODAY" score and the "TO PAR" score will be the same. On Sunday, a player could be -10 "TO PAR" for the tournament but just -2 for "TODAY."
• THRU: This is a powerful little word for live leaderboards. It tells you which hole a player has just completed in their current round. If the leaderboard says Jon Rahm is -4 THRU 12, it means he is four-under-par for today's round and has finished playing the 12th hole. This lets you know who is still on the course and how they are trending. If you see an "F" or a final round score (like 68) in that column, it means the player has Finished their round.

Player Position and Status Abbreviations

• POS: This simply means "Position," indicating the player's current rank on the leaderboard. If you see a "T" next to the number (e.g., T5), it means that player is "Tied" with one or more other players at that position.
• WD (Withdrawn): A player who has "Withdrawn" has voluntarily removed themselves from the tournament. This is often due to an injury, illness, a family emergency, or sometimes just poor play.
• DQ (Disqualified): This means a player has been removed by tournament officials for breaking a rule of golf. The most common reason at the pro level is signing an incorrect scorecard after a round.
• MDF (Made cut, did not finish): This is a rarer one. In some tournaments with a second cut after the third round, or in odd weather situations, a player might make the initial cut but not complete all four rounds.
• *: Sometimes you'll see an asterisk next to a player's name. This usually signifies that the player has begun their round. It’s a subtle way to differentiate players who have started from those who haven't teed off yet.

Why Understanding the Leaderboard Matters for Your Game

Learning the language of the leaderboard does more than just make watching the pros on TV more exciting - it can actually bring a new perspective to your own game. Golf is a game of numbers, and understanding how tournaments are structured can inspire you to track your own progress with more detail and purpose.

Think about your next golf trip with friends. Instead of just adding up your final scores, why not treat it like a mini-PGA Tour event?

• Track your R1, R2, and R3: Keep your scorecard from each day and lay them out. Who was the "first-round leader"? Who collapsed in "R2"? Who made the biggest "Moving Day" charge on Saturday (R3)?
• Set your own "Cut Line": If you have a group of eight, maybe the top four compete for a prize on the final day. It adds a fun layer of pressure and competition.
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Seeing your scores written out day-by-day (

) tells a story. Did you wear down on Day 2? Did you bounce back well on Day 3? It gives you insight into your own consistency and mental game, just like the pros.

By engaging with your scores in this way, you start to think more like a tournament player, focusing on daily performance, consistency, and how to position yourself for a great finish. It transforms golf from a single outing into a multi-round competition, even if the only person you are competing against is yourself.

Final Thoughts

So, the next time you're watching a tournament and see "R4" on the leaderboard, you'll know it simply signals the scores of the final, decisive round. By grasping this and other key terms like "CUT," "THRU," and "TO PAR," you unlock a deeper understanding and appreciation for the flow and drama of a professional golf tournament.

Of course, knowing what the pros are doing is one thing, making smart, strategic decisions during your own rounds is another. We developed Caddie AI to bridge that gap. We provide you with instant access to on-course strategy, club recommendations, and even guidance for navigating those tricky lies you find in the rough or the bunkers. The goal is to give you the confidence that comes with having an expert opinion in your pocket, taking the guesswork out of your game so you can focus on playing your best.