Masters: Projecting Friday’s Cut, Does Tiger Woods Make It?
Projecting Friday’s Cutline at the 87th Masters. The biggest names in golf surround the top of the leaderboard in the year’s first major, but who is in danger of an early exit?
A sensational opening round of the 2023 Masters provided the excitement and drama that fans would have dreamed of coming into the week.
The biggest names in the game rose to the top of a tightly contested leaderboard and if early signs are any indication, we are set up for a fantastic weekend at Augusta.
Viktor Hovland made the first move on Thursday, particularly on his opening nine when he racked up an eagle and three birdies without dropping a shot on his way to an impressive 31. Two additional birdies on the back saw the Norwegian close with a 65 and a share of the first-round lead at the 2023 Masters.
Hovland shares the lead after day one with Brooks Koepka, who turned in a vintage ‘Brooks in majors’ performance, and Jon Rahm, who astonishingly fired his first-round 65 after beginning the day with a four-putt double bogey on Augusta National’s opening hole.
Cameron Young, a talented young player who continues to prove himself on the biggest stage, and former world number one, Jason Day, each opened with a 67 and sit two shots back of the lead.
Scottie Scheffler began his Masters’ defense with an opening 68, good for a first-round four-under-par tally. The world’s number one player finds himself just three shots off the pace.
A quick glance at the leaderboard shows how special the next couple of days could be. It is littered with major winners and the biggest names in golf. There is even a place for remarkable Amateur, Sam Bennett, who opened with a bogey-free round 68 and all but put the race for the top Masters Amateur for this year to bed.
Sam Bennett shoots 68, the lowest opening round at #TheMasters by an amateur in 22 years (James Driscoll, 68 in 2001).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 6, 2023
Is Tiger’s incredible run at the Masters in jeopardy?
There were some low scores out there on Thursday at the 87th Masters, unfortunately for Tiger Woods and his legion of fans, the 15-time major winners’ opening round was not one of them.
Making just his second start of 2023, Tiger succumbed to an opening 74 on Thursday and has work to do if he is to keep his incredible Masters streak alive.
Tiger Woods has made an incredible 22 cuts in a row at the Masters, and if he can make the cut this week he’ll tie for the all-time record.
The forecasted weather over the next couple of days doesn’t look great, so exactly what score will need to be posted to make the weekend remains to be seen.
2023 Masters: Friday’s Projected Cutline
The fine folks at Data Golf have this week’s probable cutline currently at +1 (37.4%), a marginal favorite over +2 which is projected at (32%).
The probable percentages assuredly factor in the forecasted weather and challenging conditions as an even par cutline is currently only given around a 15.7% chance.
As things currently stand, Tiger Woods will likely need to post an even-par 72 or better on Friday at the Masters to keep his incredible streak alive and book a Saturday tee time.
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The top 50 players and ties after Friday’s second round will make the weekend at Augusta National.
Some notable names who wouldn’t be around for the weekend action if the current probable cutline holds include, Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Bryson DeChambeau, Kurt Kitayama, Danny Willett, and Bubba Watson.