Day 1 at the Open Championship proved that Royal Troon will be a monumental challenge for the world’s best golfers.

That’s no surprise, given the tough conditions often present at the tournament. But some of the biggest names in golf had a tough time keeping up in the opening round.

Tiger Woods fell behind the pack after a promising first three holes, while Rory McIlroy turned in a disappointing first round despite seeking to rebound from last month’s U.S. Open meltdown.

Meanwhile, reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau wasn’t much better. His struggles outside of the U.S. continued with his score of 76 on Thursday.

Still, the lack of separation on the leaderboard gives players a chance to surge in the days ahead. Some, though, won’t get the chance if they can’t post a respectable score Friday.

Here’s a look at the projected cut line for the 2024 Open Championship and which players could fall below it.

MORE: Revisiting Rory McIlroy’s worst finishes at British Open

Open Championship cut rules

The top 70 players in the Open Championship standings, plus ties, make the cut after the second round concludes. There is no rule allowing players below that cut line to advance even if they are within a certain number of strokes.

Among the four major tournaments, the Open Championship is among the easiest competitions to secure a spot in the final two rounds. The Open Championship and PGA Championship each accept the top 70 players in the field, accounting for ties, while the U.S. Open takes the top 60 (plus ties) and the Masters takes just the top 50 (plus ties).

Open Championship cut line 2024

The cut line for the Open Championship would be three over par after the first round. Friday’s action figures to move the cut line around as players move up and down the leaderboard.

• Current cut line: +3
• Players inside cut line: 81
• Notable players outside the line: Viktor Hovland (+4), Bryson DeChambeau (+5), Sahith Theegala (+6), Rory McIlroy (+7), Tiger Woods (+8)

MORE: Why British Open announcer is under fire for Tiger Woods comment

How many golfers made the cut at the Open Championship?

The initial 157-player field is projected to be slashed to 81 players. The top 70 players, plus ties, advance past Friday’s second round.