With only 89 players competing, the Masters has the smallest field of the four major championships. Even fewer make the cut, which will most likely come Friday night, assuming they can catch up after Thursday’s weather delay.
The top 50 players and ties make the cut at Augusta National Golf Club. It used to be top 50 and ties and those within 10 shots of the lead, but that rule was changed in 2020.
Well, after the opening day at the Masters, there are plenty of notables who have work to do come Friday to make the weekend.
Although the first round didn’t finish Thursday, the second round is beginning on time Friday morning while the opening round finishes up. With a good weather forecast, the second round is expected to conclude Friday night.
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After the opening day of play, the cut is projected at 1 over with 53 players in position to play the weekend.
Here are the notables who are outside the cut line after the first day of the 2024 Masters.
Jordan Spieth tosses a ball to his caddie, Michael Greller, from the no. 2 green during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Network
Spieth sits 2 over thru 11 holes and has plenty of golf ahead of him Friday. The 2015 Masters champ has a pair of par 5s upcoming in the morning, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see Spieth move up the board a bit.
Hideki Matsuyama hits out of a bunker on No. 2 during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network
The 2021 champ came in playing strong golf, but he carded only one birdie to five bogeys in an opening 76. There’s a lot of work left for Matsuyama to make the weekend.
Keegan Bradley plays his shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network
Bradley is 3 over thru 14 holes, so there remains opportunities to finish his first round strong, and playing early in the second round, he needs to take advantage of the calmest forecasted wind conditions of the day.
Sam Burns reacts after a putt on the 13th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network
Burns is also 3 over thru 14 holes. He was 2 under thru 3 before a double on the fourth. Three bogeys since, and Burns, who’s wife is also expecting a child soon, has work to do Friday.
Rickie Fowler walks off the fourth tee box during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Par 3 curse? Possibly. Fowler won the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday. One day later, he opened in 76 with only one birdie. The winner of the Par 3 Contest has never gone on to win the Masters.
Peter Malnati and caddie Chad Antus look on from the fourth tee box during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
To say it has been an emotional and exhausting past month for Malnati is an understatement. He shot 82 on the opening day and has to go low to have a chance at playing the weekend in his first Masters.
Zach Johnson looks on ahead of caddie Brian Smith on the seventh green during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network
The 2007 Masters champ opened in 4 over and had only one birdie.
Denny McCarthy makes a club selection before hitting out of the trees on No. 2 during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network
After an incredible back-nine 28 to force a playoff four days ago, McCarthy shot 2 over in the opening round and needs a bounce back performance in the second round.
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