Open Championship cut line updates. Will Rory McIlroy miss the cut?

We’re monitoring the cut line at the 2026 Open Championship to track which star golfers will miss the cut at the season’s final major.

The biggest name on the chopping block is Rory McIlroy, the two-time defending Masters champion and winner of the 2014 British Open. McIlroy had some incredible bursts in his first round, but some missed short putts saw him enter Round 2 at 2 over par. He last missed the cut at a major at the 2024 Open.

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Jordan Spieth, who won The Open when it last came to Royal Birkdale in 2017, shot 3 over in Round 1. World No. 3 Matt Fitzpatrick, No. 8 and U.S. Open champ Wyndham Clark and No. 10 Justin Rose are all up against it as well, along with PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, Xander Schauffele and Ludvig Åberg. Keep scrolling for the latest updates on The Open cut line.

Watch British Open live on Peacock

What is The Open cut line?

At the start of play Friday, the cut line at The Open was 1 over par. Players with a score of 1 over or better would qualify for the weekend’s rounds if the current cut line holds. Projections from DataGolf estimate the final cut line will likely be 2 over.

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Players to watch on Open Championship cutline

• Sahith Theegala: +1 (1:57 a.m. tee time)

• Aaron Rai: +1 (4:47 a.m.)

• Ludvig Åberg: +1 (4:58 a.m.)

• Xander Schauffele: +1 (5:09 a.m.)

• Patrick Cantlay: +1 (5:31 a.m.)

• Rickie Fowler: +1 (7:25 a.m.)

• Akshay Bhatia: +1 (9:20 a.m.)

• Rasmus Højgaard: +1 (9:20 a.m.)

• Haotong Li: +2 (3:03 a.m.)

• Patrick Reed: +2 (4:14 a.m.)

• Adam Scott: +2 (4:25 a.m.)

• Nicolai Højgaard: +2 (4:36 a.m.)

• Rory McIlroy: +2 (5:09 a.m.)

• Matt Fitzpatrick: +2 (5:09 a.m.)

• Hideki Matsuyama: +2 (9:31 a.m.)

• Cameron Smith: +3 (2:08 a.m.)

• Jack Buchanan (a): +3 (3:47 a.m.)

• Wyndham Clark: +3 (4:58 a.m.)

• Jason Day: +3 (9:53 a.m.)

• Jordan Spieth: +3 (10:15 a.m.)

• Fifa Laopakdee (a): +5 (7:47 a.m.)

• Mateo Pulcini (a): +5 (8:31 a.m.)

• Justin Rose: +5 (9:42 a.m.)

• Gary Woodland: +8 (7:58 a.m.)

How many players make the cut at the Open Championship?

Of the 156 players who entered the tournament, 70 are guaranteed to make the cut and play this weekend. That number can grow to account for ties. Last year, exactly 70 players made the cut at 1 over.

How to watch British Open 2026

• Friday, July 17: NBCSN (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)

• Saturday, July 18: USA Network (5-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-3 p.m.)

• Sunday, July 19: USA Network (4-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Round 2 of the 2026 British Open broadcasts nationally on NBCSN starting at 1:30 a.m. July 17 before switching to USA Network at 4. Rounds 3 and 4 will start on USA at 5 a.m. July 18 and 4 a.m. July 19 before switching to NBC at 7 a.m. both days. Featured group and hole streaming is available on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s subscription streaming service, throughout the tournament.

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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Open Championship cut line updates. Will Rory McIlroy miss the cut?