Jim Bones Mackay reflects on Phil Mickelson and Masters history
Jim Bones Mackay shares his favorite Masters stories, insights ahead of the 2026 tournament and the Masters app.
Some of the biggest names in golf are off to fast starts at the 2026 Masters, with reigning champion Rory McIlroy making a charge to the top of the leaderboard during the first round at Augusta National Golf Club. But there’s a compelling storyline with the looming cut heading into the weekend at golf’s first major of the season.
Only the top 50 and ties after second-round action on Friday, April 10 is complete qualify to play in the final two rounds of The Masters. That means pre-tournament favorites like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm will need to put together strong rounds just to make it to the weekend, let alone work their way into contention.
They lead a list of former major winners who struggled with Thursday’s dry and fast conditions on the course and could miss the cut with another poor showing over the next 18 holes.
Here are live updates about the projected cut line as first-round action continues at the 2026 Masters:
Masters 2026 projected cut line
As of 4 p.m. ET on Thursday at the 2026 Masters, the projected cut line is +1 based on the scores of the top 50 golfers (and ties) on the current leaderboard. All golfers with a score of +1 or better make it to the weekend at Augusta National Golf Club.
The predictive model used by Datagolf.com currently projects +3 to be the most likely cut line for the 2026 Masters (37.9% chance). There is currently a 24.5% chance it moves down to +4 and a 23.4% chance it moves to +2, according to the website.
The Masters cut line was instituted in 1957. From 1957-1961, it was lowest 40 scores and ties. From 1962-2012, it was lowest 44 scores and ties, and those within 10 strokes of the leader. From 2013-2019, the lowest 50 scores and ties, and those within 10 strokes of the leader qualified for the final 36 holes. Beginning in 2020, the lowest 50 and ties qualify for the final 36 holes.
Here’s where the cut line fell in the most recent Masters tournaments:
- 2025: +2
- 2024: +6
- 2023: +3
- 2022: +4
- 2021: +3
- 2020: E
- 2019: +3
- 2018: +5
Masters 2026 leaderboard: Live updates
- T1. Rory McIlroy: -5 (F)
- T1: Sam Burns: -5 (F)
- T3. Kurt Kitayama -3 (F)
- T3. Jason Day -3 (F)
- T3. Patrick Reed -3 (F)
- T3. Justin Rose: -3 (9)
- T3. Scottie Scheffler: -3 (8)
- T3. Gary Woodland: -3 (8)
You can get latest leaderboard updates and tee times here.
Masters 2026 cut line: Golfers to watch
- Collin Morikawa: +2 (F)
- Matt Fitzpatrick: +2 (F)
- Cam Smith: +2 (F)
- Viktor Hovland: +3 (F)
- Harris English: +3 (7)
- Bryson DeChambeau: +4 (F)
- Sungjae Im: +4 (17)
- Brian Harman: +4 (12)
- Maverick McNealy: +4 (10)
- Patrick Cantlay: +5 (F)
- Jon Rahm: +4 (9)
How to watch 2026 Masters: TV, live streaming
Prime Video makes its debut as a Masters broadcaster this year and will carry the event for the first time ever with two hours of streaming coverage for the first and second rounds. ESPN will provide linear cable coverage for those two days, picking up where Amazon Prime leaves off.
On the weekend, CBS will again handle the main feed for The Masters. The first two hours of coverage on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, will air exclusively on Paramount+, before the network takes over for the remainder of each round.
All main feed coverage for all four days can also be found on Masters.com and the Masters App. Here’s a breakdown of the main broadcast schedule for the 2026 Masters:
Watch The Masters on Prime Video
All times Eastern.
Thursday and Friday (April 9-10)
- Prime Video: 1-3 p.m.
- ESPN/ESPN App: 3-7:30 p.m.
- Masters.com/Masters App: 1-7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday (April 11-12)
Masters 2026 featured groups, alternate feeds
Aside from the main feed, there is a wide range of viewing options available on a host of different streaming platforms throughout the week.
All of it will be familiar to golf fans except for one new addition. Amazon Prime will debut a data and stats-based feed called “Inside Amen Corner,” which will also air live on Masters.com and the Masters App. The usual suspects like On the Range, featured groups and the traditional Amen Corner broadcast are also included in the coverage lineup and will be carried by several different streamers
CBS Digital, Paramount+, ESPN App, Prime Video, DirecTV, Masters App
Featured groups (Thursday-Sunday)
CBS Digital, Paramount+, ESPN App, Prime Video, DirecTV, Masters App
Holes 4, 5 and 6 (Thursday-Sunday)
CBS Digital, Paramount+, ESPN App, Prime Video, DirecTV, Masters App
Amen Corner (Thursday-Sunday)
CBS Digital, Paramount+, ESPN App, Prime Video, DirecTV, Masters App
Inside Amen Corner (Thursday-Sunday)
Prime Video, Masters App
Holes 15 and 16 (Thursday-Sunday)
