The cut line at the 2026 Open Championship is expected to settle at 1-over par as the second round winds down at Royal Birkdale, leaving several high-profile players in danger of missing the weekend.
With only the top 70 and ties advancing, a number of former major winners find themselves on the wrong side of the cut line heading into the final stretch of Friday's action.
Notable misses
Among the notable names to miss the cut is Wyndham Clark, who sits at 3-over par. While the 2022 U.S. Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick is currently 4-over.
Clark missing the cut comes at a surprise after his recent 2026 U.S. Open success, his hopes of adding another major title in 2026 have come to an end finishing the first two round 3-over par.
Jordan Spieth struggles are notable given his history at Royal Birkdale, where he delivered a memorable finish winning the Open Championship there in 2017. Spieth is T122 and will make a disappointing exit at the same course where he produced a career-defining victory.
Who battled back
Rory McIlroy has also found himself in an unexpected battle to make the weekend, sitting dangerously close to the projected cut line early Friday. During Thursday's round he struggled to gain momentum, leaving him with work to do heading into the second round.
However, in typical Rory fashion, he battled back, posting a 3-under par in the second round to move himself into a much stronger position and keep his hopes alive heading into the weekend.
Bryson DeCheambeau has found himself on the right side of the projected cut for the first time this season. After struggling to find consistency in his previous major appearances, DeCheambeau has put himself in contention having two strong opening rounds, sitting T2 at Royal Birkdale.
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