Masters Cut Line 2025 Projections After Thursday's Leaderboard Analysis

Someone will win a green jacket Sunday, but the first significant battle of the 2025 Masters will come Friday as players fight to stay above the cut line.

And if Thursday's opening round was any indication, there will be some notable names contending with that cut line in Friday's second round.

The top 50 golfers, plus ties, on the leaderboard after Friday's action will safely avoid the cut and make it to the weekend. Last year's cut line was six-over par, while the 2023 cut line was lower at three-over par.

While this year's cut line will depend on the overall play from the field in the second round, a score of two-over par in Thursday's first round put players in a tie for 51st place. Given that initial leaderboard and recent history, the projection here is the cut line will be at plus-three.

That puts the following players, among others, under the cut spotlight for the second round:

• Justin Thomas, +1
• Jordan Spieth, +1
• Tom Kim, +1
• Xander Schauffele, +1
• Hideki Matsuyama, +1
• Tommy Fleetwood, +1
• Will Zalatoris, +2
• Keegan Bradley, +2
• Max Homa, +2
• Dustin Johnson, +2
• Brooks Koepka, +2
• Phil Mickelson, +3
• Tony Finau, +3
• Jon Rahm, +3

One player who surely won't have to worry about the cut line Friday is Justin Rose.

Rose is the first-round leader thanks to a brilliant performance Thursday. He shot a seven-under 65 that included three straight birdies on the opening three holes as well as three straight birdies on Nos. 8 through 10.

His only blemish came with a bogey on No. 18, but not even that could spoil the momentum he will take into the second round.

It will be a familiar position for the 44-year-old, as he set a Masters record by having at least a share of the lead after the first 18 holes for the fifth time in his career. Yet he has never parlayed those hot starts into a green jacket, which is something he will look to change this year.

Elsewhere, Scottie Scheffler (-4), Ludvig Åberg (-4) and Bryson DeChambeau (-3) are among the notable names in ideal position through a single round.

None of them will be able to win the tournament Friday, but plenty of other players could see their weeks come to an early end if they don't make the cut.

Which means all eyes will be on Schauffele, Spieth, Thomas, Koepka, Rahm, Mickelson and others with the cut looming.