Open Championship's +1 Cut Line Puts Spieth, McIlroy Among Stars at Risk
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 17
Open Championship's +1 Cut Line Puts Spieth, McIlroy Among Stars at Risk
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 17
Summary
Round 2 at Royal Birkdale opened with a projected cut line of +1, leaving Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and several other major champions in danger of missing the weekend.
Data Golf gave the line a 91.9% chance of staying at +1, with only a 0.1% chance of rising to +2 and an 8% chance of dropping to even par.
Spieth sat exactly on the number at +1 through five holes, while Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick were already in the clubhouse at +4 and Wyndham Clark finished at +3.
Brian Harman was deeper in trouble at +6 through five holes, underscoring how Royal Birkdale's firm, fast surfaces and punishing rough are separating contenders from former champions.
Lucas Herbert set the early pace at -8, with only the top 70 players and ties advancing after 36 holes in golf's final major of the year.