PGA Tour Changes Course on Cut Policy

The PGA Tour's controversial new-for-2008 cut policy is now its old cut policy. Reacting to criticism from players, the Tour today announced a change to its so-called "Rule 78" cut policy. Now, beginning at this week's Honda Classic, there will be the possibility of two cuts, one after the second round and perhaps another after the third.

To briefly recap Rule 78: If the traditional cut to Top 70 plus ties resulted in more than 78 golfers making the cut, the Tour essentially raised the cutline by one stroke, also eliminating those players one stroke above the cutline. This was designed to keep the weekend rounds from getting too "crowded," allowing for twosomes (rather than threesomes) and, hopefully, a better pace of play in the third and fourth rounds.

But twice in the early going this year, that new rule resulted in a large number of golfers getting the axe who would have qualified under the old rules (Top 70 plus ties, regardless of final number). Players objected, and the Players Advisory Council recommended a change. The Tour adopted that change this week.

So what's the cut policy now? A traditional cut - Top 70 plus ties - takes place following the second round. If 78 or fewer golfers make the cut, that's that. If more than 78 golfers make the cut, then the field is cut again following the third round (also Top 70 plus ties).

On the Web: Cut policy amended again