New Cut Rule for Sony Open

Filed in archive Golf News on January 12, 2008

Courtesy: Waialae Country Club, Hawaii
There is a new rule in effect on the PGA Tour this season regarding the cut line.

Players at the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club have just got a taste of it.

tournaments will enter the final 2 rounds with a target number of 70 players making the cut. Amateurs who are closest to the score of the 70th player will also make the cut.

I get that. Here's the explanation of the new rule from the PGA:

The Sony Open in Hawaii became the first tournament to employ the new PGA TOUR cut policy after a total of 87 players made the cut. Following is an explanation of the rule:

A starting field is reduced to the 70 professionals having the lowest scores at the conclusion of 36 holes of tournament play, including any professionals tied for 70th place, plus amateurs with scores not higher than that of the 70th professional.

Should the cut now include more than 78 professionals, as was the case at Waialae Country Club on Friday, the field shall be reduced (cut) to the score that includes the number of professionals nearest 70th place, plus amateurs with scores not higher than the professionals nearest 70th place.

If there are an equal number of professionals at different scores at equal intervals above and below 70th position, the higher score shall be used.

At the Sony Open, a total of 69 players finished at 1 under or better, so those players will compete on Saturday and Sunday. The 18 other players who were eliminated - but otherwise would have played in the final 36 holes - shall receive their appropriate share of the official prize money and FedExCup points in accordance with their respective positions.

Can someone explain the last paragraph to me? Hasn't the rule historically been that if you miss the cut, you get no money? Do I need another coffee?