How Many Rounds Are Played in The Masters?
Four rounds, totaling 72 holes, are played at The Masters. Not every player who tees off on Thursday gets to play all four – a cut after 36 holes eliminates roughly half the field. Only those who survive the cut compete on the weekend.
Standard Format: Four Rounds and a Cut
All competitors play 18 holes each on Thursday and Friday (rounds 1 and 2). After Friday’s round, the field is trimmed based on two cut rules:
- Any professional in the top 50 positions (including ties) after 36 holes makes the cut.
- Any professional within 10 strokes of the leader after 36 holes also makes the cut, even if that pushes the number of players beyond 50.
Amateurs follow the same line: if an amateur’s score lands inside the cut, they continue. Otherwise they are eliminated alongside the professionals.
How the Cut Worked in Recent Masters
For a concrete example, at the 2023 Masters, 52 players made the cut. That number came from the top 50 and ties plus those within 10 strokes of the lead. Only those 52 advanced to Saturday and Sunday. Players who miss the cut are done – they receive an official score for the two rounds they played but no finish position in the final standings.
Occasionally, a player who makes the cut may withdraw (WD) or be disqualified (DQ) before completing the weekend. In that case, their score is marked accordingly, and they do not receive an official finish. For instance, at the 2021 Masters, a WD after Friday left the weekend field at 50 players. If a player fails to show up for a round without a valid medical or emergency reason, they are disqualified.
What the Format Means for Fans and Bettors
The cut directly affects how you watch or wager on the tournament. Only the players who make the cut earn FedExCup points, prize money, and weekend TV coverage. If you’re in a Masters pool or betting outright winner, your pick is worthless after Friday if they miss the cut – no amount of weekend comeback is possible. For example, Jordan Spieth missed the cut in 2022, wiping out many fantasy lineups.
How to confirm who made the cut: After Friday’s final round, check the official Masters leaderboard at masters.com or the PGA Tour app. The cut line is displayed in red, and any player whose score is at or better than that line continues. Broadcasts also announce the cut after play ends. If you’re on-site, the scoreboards around the course update in real time.
When Four Rounds Aren’t Enough: Playoffs and Weather
A tie after 72 holes triggers a sudden-death playoff. The playoff starts immediately on Sunday, beginning at the 18th hole and moving to the 10th if needed. Play continues hole by hole until one player wins outright. The champion then finishes with more than 72 holes, but the tournament is still recorded as a 72‑hole event for the rest of the field.
Recent and Historic Playoff Examples
The most recent sudden-death playoff was in 2017 when Sergio García defeated Justin Rose on the first extra hole. Earlier notable playoffs include 1987 (Larry Mize’s chip-in) and 2003 (Mike Weir over Len Mattiace). Playoff holes count as additional rounds for those players, affecting scoring averages and statistics.
Weather-Related Schedule Changes
Weather can force Sunday’s round to spill into Monday. In 2023, rain suspended play Sunday, and the final round finished Monday morning. While the total number of holes remained 72, the schedule changed – Sunday-only ticket holders missed the finish. The cut also creates a wrinkle for bettors: a player who just makes the cut on the 10‑stroke rule might be 12 or more strokes back, making a final‑round win statistically improbable. Unlike some other majors (e.g., the PGA Championship), The Masters does not use a second cut after 54 holes, so the weekend field stays as is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all four rounds count toward the final score?
Only for players who make the cut. Those who miss the cut have only two rounds in the official record, though each hole they played is scored individually.
Can a player skip a round?
No. Every player must complete each round unless they withdraw or are disqualified. Missing a round without a valid excuse is not allowed.
Has any player won without playing all four rounds?
No. The champion always completes 72 holes (plus any playoff holes). Rain delays can shift rounds to different days, but all four full rounds are always played.
Does the field size affect the cut?
Yes. In years with more than 90 players, the cut line may be tighter because the 10‑stroke rule pulls in more players. In 2023, 52 made it; in 2020 (November event), only 50 made the cut due to a smaller starting field.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.