What Does Thru F Mean in a Golf Leaderboard?

Following a professional golf tournament is thrilling, but looking at the leaderboard can sometimes feel like trying to crack a code. If you've ever stared at the screen wondering what all the letters and numbers mean, you're not alone, and one of the most common head-scratchers is Thru F. This article will explain exactly what that term means and walk you through how to read an entire golf leaderboard, so you can follow every twist and turn of the action like a real insider.

The Quick Answer: What Exactly Does "Thru F" Represent?

Let's get straight to it. On a golf leaderboard, "Thru F" simply means the golfer has Finished their round for the day. The "F" is an abbreviation for "Finished" or "Final." When you see this next to a player's name, it tells you they have completed all 18 holes of that day's round, their score is set, and they are now in the clubhouse. Their position on the leaderboard won't change unless other golfers still on the course post better or worse scores.

This is important because it provides context. A player who is "Thru F" with a great score becomes the "leader in the clubhouse" - the one everyone else is chasing. Conversely, a player struggling a few shots behind the leader who is "Thru 7" still has 11 holes left to make a charge.

Decoding the Golf Leaderboard: A Guide to the Key Columns

Understanding "Thru F" is a great start, but a modern leaderboard is packed with information that brings the tournament to life. Let's break down the essential columns you'll encounter so you can see the full picture.

POS – The Player's Ranking

"POS" stands for position. This column tells you a player's current rank in the tournament. It's the most straightforward part of the leaderboard, but there's one little detail to know:

• A simple number (1, 2, 3...) indicates a player's sole rank. A "1" means they are in first place by themselves.
• A "T" before the number (T2, T5, T10...) means the player is tied for that position. If you see two players listed as "T2," it means they share second place with the exact same tournament score. You'll often see large groups of players tied, especially early in a tournament.

TO PAR / SCORE – The Most Important Number

This is where the real action is. The "TO PAR" or "SCORE" column shows a player's total cumulative score relative to the par of the course for the entire tournament. Par is the predetermined number of strokes avery skilled golfer should need to complete a hole or the entire course. The goal in golf is to have the lowest score possible.

• A negative number (e.g., -10) is great. This means the player is ten strokes under par. This is often displayed in red numbers to signify an under-par score.
• A positive number (e.g., +3) means the player is three strokes over par. These are typically shown in black or blue.
• An "E" means the player is at Even par. They have a total score that is exactly the same as the course's cumulative par. "E" can quickly turn into a -1 with a a single birdie.

THRU – Tracking a Player in Real-Time

The "THRU" column is your real-time GPS for every player's round. It tells you exactly where they are in their daily 18-hole journey. As we've covered, an "F" means finished, but you'll see other statuses too:

• "Thru" with a number (e.g., Thru 9): This means the player has completed that many holes in their current round. A player who is "Thru 9" is making the turn from the front nine to the back nine.
• A Tee Time (e.g., 12:45 PM): If you see a time here, it means the player has not yet started their round. The time listed is their scheduled start time (tee time).
• Missed Cut ("CUT" or "MC"): In most 72-hole professional tournaments, a cut is made after 36 holes (two rounds). Players with scores above a certain line are "cut" from the tournament and do not play on the weekend. If you see "CUT" next to a name, it means their tournament is over.

TODAY – How a Player is Performing Right Now

While the "TO PAR" column shows the cumulative tournament score, the "TODAY" column focuses only on the current round. This is where you spot a player who's on fire. For example, a player could have a tournament score of -2, but their "TODAY" score might be -5. This tells you they started the day at +3 and are currently playing an outstanding round, climbing up the leaderboard fast. Conversely, a leader who is "E" for the tournament but "+4" for the day is having a tough round and is likely falling back to the field.

Putting It All Together: A Leaderboard Example

Theory is one thing, but seeing it in action makes it click. Let's look at a fictional snapshot from the final round of a major tournament and analyze what's happening.

Fictional Masters Leaderboard - Sunday Afternoon

POS |PLAYER |SCORE |THRU |TODAY
1 |Rory McIlroy |-12 |F |-4
2 |Jon Rahm |-11 |17 |-5
T3 |Scottie Scheffler |-9 |F |-2
T3 |Collin Morikawa |-9 |F |+1
T5 |Justin Thomas |-8 |16 |-1
... |--- CUT LINE LIKELY AROUND +3 ---| | |
T55 |Max Homa |+4 |F |+2
- |Tiger Woods |+6 |CUT |-

Here’s how to interpret this leaderboard story:

• Rory McIlroy is in first place. His "THRU F" status and -4 "TODAY" score tell us he had a fantastic final round to get to his tournament total of -12. He is the official "leader in the clubhouse." All he can do now is watch and wait.
• Jon Rahm is the biggest threat. At -11, he is just one shot behind Rory. Critically, his "THRU 17" status shows he has one hole left to play (the 18th). He needs a birdie on the final hole to force a playoff with Rory, or an eagle to win outright. Note his "TODAY" score is -5, meaning he's had an even hotter round than Rory. The drama is high!
• Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa are tied for third place, but they had very different days. Though both are "Thru F" at -9, Scottie shot a respectable 2-under-par, while Collin shot a 1-over-par and fell down the leaderboard from a better position.
• Justin Thomas is hanging around in a tie for 5th. He is "Thru 16," meaning he still has two holes to potentially make another birdie and improve his final standing.
• Tiger Woods unfortunately did not play on the weekend. His "CUT" status shows he was eliminated from the tournament after the second round, finishing at +6.

By understanding what "Thru F," "Thru 17," "CUT," and the score columns mean, the entire narrative of the tournament's final hour comes to life right before your eyes.

Final Thoughts

Knowing your way around a golf leaderboard, from "POS" to "TO PAR" to the vital "THRU F," transforms you from a casual spectator into an engaged fan. It allows you to follow the drama, appreciate the incredible comebacks, and feel the pressure as players fight to become the leader in the clubhouse.

Reading a leaderboard tells you the outcome of a player's strategy, but it doesn't always explain the 'why' behind an incredible shot or a costly mistake. For golfers who want to build that smarter, pro-level type of course management into their own rounds, our team created Caddie AI. The app acts as your personal caddie and 24/7 coach, helping you think like a pro, get personalized strategy for every hole, and get advice on tough shots so you can play with more confidence and clarity.