Hearing a Star Like Justin Thomas Explain Cut-Line Stress is the Good Stuff

Golf has made a lot of changes over the last several years thanks to the emergence of LIV Golf. Some good, some bad. Something I’d put in the bad column is losing the 36-hole cut.

Sure, there are plenty of events that still send players packing after two days, but when a signature event rolls around, it’s tough to really care about the first 36 holes because everyone will be there over the weekend anyway.

That’s not the case this week at the Valspar Championship.

Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course is kicking these guys around so far this week, aided by some breezy weather. Patton Kizzire kicked his putter in frustration before withdrawing, and Sahith Theegala displayed some serious arm talent with an impressive club throw on Friday.

Justin Thomas, after shooting rounds of 73-70, sits at 1 over through 36 holes and faces an afternoon of stress and perspiration. Data Golf says there’s a 55% chance of the cut line coming in at +2, while there’s a 42% chance of it moving to +1. So, DG really likes JT’s chances of playing the weekend, but don’t tell him that.

During his post-round interview, Thomas compared the stress of trying to make the cut to trying to win a golf tournament.

“[Cut-line stress]’s real. It’s hard to explain to people, but I’ve argued—it’s obviously very different—I would say more nerve-wracking than trying to win a golf tournament…I just have to hope somehow this wind keeps blowing. I really, really want to play some golf this weekend.”

Hearing one of the best players in the world talk about making a cut like that is the good stuff. These guys care so much about playing over the weekend, and it’s a bummer we’ve lost that aspect of tournament golf during certain weeks of the year.

Golf fans want as much drama as possible throughout an event, and getting rid of the 36-hole cut sucks. Simple as that.