The U.S. Open brought a field of 156 golfers to Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina to compete in one of golf’s most prestigious and difficult events. Only about half of those golfers will make it to the weekend.

The U.S. Open has one of the most exclusive cuts among major events on the PGA Tour. As many as 96 players could be cut from the starting field, and the unforgiving nature of the course will make the cut line volatile.

As Pinehurst dries out and becomes faster and firmer, scoring conditions will become less ideal for golfers. That means even those who shoot well Thursday won’t be spared from a potential blow-up to drop them below the cut line Friday

Patrick Cantlay and Ludvig Aberg will be among those who must approach Friday cautiously. They will need to stay accurate, especially on approach and with the putter, to ensure they don’t squander their spots atop the U.S. Open field.

Here’s what to know about the U.S. Open cut rules and where the cut line stands as the tournament’s critical second day of play arrives.

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What is the cut line for 2024 U.S. Open?

The cut line for the 2024 U.S. Open currently sits at 5-over. That is two over what the cut line was for the 2023 event at the Los Angeles Country Club.

Notable golfers to miss the cut include Tiger Woods (+7), Dustin Johnson (+9), Viktor Hovland (+6), Rickie Fowler (+8) and Phil Mickelson (+15). 

U.S. Open cut rules

The top 60 players in the U.S. Open field (plus ties) advance to play the weekend at golf’s third major. That means as many as 96 participants could be cut from the 156-man field.

Among the four major tournaments, only the Masters Tournament has a more stringent cut line. The top 50 players plus ties make the cut at that event, which has a field less than half the size of the U.S. Open.

Comparatively, the Open Championship and PGA Championship each accept the top 70 players in the field (plus ties).

MORE: Why Pinehurst’s unique rough is challenging golfers at U.S. Open

U.S. Open cut line 2024

The U.S. Open cut line is at 5-over. That means puts 74 golfers made the weekend.

• Cut line: 5-over
• Players inside cut line: 74

How many golfers make the cut at the U.S. Open?

The top 60 players (plus ties) make the cut at the U.S. Open. That will typically halve the field of 156 participants, at a minimum.