What is the cut rule at the US Women’s Open?

Does the US Women’s Open feature a cut rule? Will we see the field shrink after two days? Find out below!

As with the other four women’s major championships – the Chevron Championship, Women’s PGA Championship, Amundi Evian Championship and the AIG Women’s Open – there is a cut after two days of play.

Every year, the US Women’s Open begins with 156 players, the biggest field of the four majors. That is then whittled down at the halfway mark, but how does it work?

A history of the US Women’s Open cut rule

The US Women’s Open has implemented a cut since the tournament switched from match play to stroke play in 1947.

Since that change, the 36-hole cut has been used, in line with all other majors and tour events.

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What is the US Women’s Open cut rule?

The cut rule is pretty standard. Below is what is laid out in the tournament guidelines:

“Following the first 36 holes of play, the field of 156 players will be reduced to the low 60 scores and ties.

“Those players will advance to complete the final two rounds.”

Depending on how many players are tied on the cut line, this could mean that less than 40% of the field makes it through to the weekend’s action at Erin Hills.

Only the top 60 and ties out of those 156 will play both Saturday and Sunday, with a chance to go on and win the Harton S. Semple Trophy on Sunday, June 1.

The cut is an integral part of most golf tournaments and at the end of the second round, whether it be this tournament or on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour or DP World Tour, there is excitement to see who will make the weekend.

You occasionally have stars of the game who are scrabbling to make birdies to try and make the cut. It is hugely significant and there is a sense of pride and achievement if a player digs deep enough when it matters to make the cut.

At LIV Golf events, there are no cuts as there are only 54 players in the field and they are only 54-hole events. In five of the eight Signature Events on the PGA Tour, there is no cut. The invitational events (the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Memorial and the Genesis Invitational) do have 36-hole cuts before the weekend.

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Now have your say

What do you make of the cut rule for the US Women’s Open? And who do you think will lift the Harton S. Semple Trophy on Sunday, June 1? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!