The 2023 PGA Championship opened with a 156-player field at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. That number was reduced by more than half after Friday's second round.
Thursday's Round 1 opened with a weather delay; early morning temperatures produced frost over much of the East Course. Whether that had any bearing on how players fared in Round 1 is unknown, but the clubhouse leader after Thursday was Bryson DeChambeau at 4 under.
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The more pressing question became how many golfers would extend their stay in Rochester Some players were comfortably inside the projected cut line, while others needed to scramble to get there.
While the PGA Championship is not as exclusive as the other majors, it still took considerable work for some of the world's top players to play on the weekend in 2023. Here's everything you need to know about the PGA Championship cut line rules, the number of players who made the cut, and more:
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What is the cut line for 2023 PGA Championship?
The cut line — which fluctuated throughout the second round — was set at 5 over par after two rounds. A number of notable golfers were in danger of missing the cut Friday.
Things looked especially precarious for Jon Rahm, who on Thursday turned in a historically bad PGA Championship first round. The world No. 1 and reigning Masters champion shot a 6-over 76, setting a record for worst opening round to-par score for a world No. 1.
Jon Rahm just posted the worst opening round score to par (+6) by a World No. 1 at the #PGAChampionship.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 18, 2023
That distinction was previously shared by Greg Norman in 1990 and Tiger Woods in 2005 (+5). pic.twitter.com/IwVVMKTRG4
Jon Rahm shoots 76, the highest score by a reigning Masters champ in his next major round played since Bubba Watson in 2014 (76 at US Open).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) May 18, 2023
None of the last 8 Masters winners broke 70 in the opening round of the next major.
He responded Friday with a 2-under 68. His 4-over score for the tournament was good enough for him to make the cut.
PGA Championship cut rules
The PGA Championship has a 70-player cut line (plus ties), tied with the Open Championship for the largest among golf's four majors. The U.S. Open has a 60-player cut line, while the Masters has the smallest at 50.
Of note, there is no 10-shot rule at the PGA Championship, so the cut line will be expanded to include any player who is 10 or fewer shots behind the leader. The Masters in 2020 became the last major to do away with the rule.
MORE: Full PGA Championship leaderboard
PGA Championship 2023 cut line
After the second round Friday, the cut line stood at 5 over par. Notable players who missed the cut: Rickie Fowler (6 over), Jason Day (8 over), Cameron Young (9 over). Among those right on the line at +5 were Tony Finau, Phil Mickelson and Jordan Spieth.
- Cut line: 5 over par (145)
- Players inside cut line: 76
How many players make the cut at the PGA Championship?
The initial 156-player field was reduced to the top 70 golfers after 36 holes, plus ties. In all, 76 players advanced to weekend play.
