The cut at the 2026 Masters left some big names out of the weekend at Augusta National, in an unexpected and dramatic outcome for the 90th edition of the tournament. The initial field of 91 players was reduced to just 54 after two intense rounds, with the cut line set at 4 strokes over par, in a battle against a fast and unforgiving course that did not tolerate mistakes.
Among the big surprises is J.J. Spaun, the 2025 U.S. Open champion and recent winner of the Valero Texas Open, who missed the weekend by just one stroke, after a second day marked by five bogeys and a late effort with two birdies in the last three holes. This is the first time in three appearances that Spaun has not made the cut at Augusta.
Another heavyweight to fall was Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, who could not overcome the 11 bogeys recorded in the first 36 holes, also finishing one stroke off the cut. Since joining LIV Golf, Watson has missed the weekend at Augusta three times in the last four years, a worrying sign for his return to the big stage.
Danny Willett, the 2016 Masters winner, also failed to avoid elimination, with a disastrous quadruple bogey on the 15th hole weighing on his score. Despite a bogey-free second day on the back nine, Willett missed out by a single stroke, highlighting the inconsistency since his victory.
Bryson DeChambeau, one of the favourites and winner of the last two LIV events before the Masters, saw his hopes vanish in a disaster on the last hole of the second day, where a triple bogey in a bunker sealed his fate. This poor bunker management, which had already cost him a triple bogey on the 11th hole in the opening round, was too much for the American, who came from two top 6 finishes in the last Masters.
The list of those departing also includes young talent Akshay Bhatia, who after an impressive birdie on the 17th saw his hopes fade with a double bogey on the last hole; veteran Zach Johnson, the 2007 champion, who could not recover from a double bogey on the 12th hole; and Nicolai Hojgaard, who despite a solid season on the PGA Tour, could not withstand the serious mistakes made.
Robert MacIntyre, another strong contender for victory, fell by the wayside after a catastrophic opening day, while Cameron Smith, the 2022 British Open champion, extended his poor run in majors, failing to overcome mistakes in the last holes of the second day.
Fred Couples, the 66-year-old legend, showed initial strength but eventually succumbed to a total of 11 strokes over par in the last 27 holes, raising doubts about a possible final farewell to the Masters.
Min Woo Lee, the Australian prospect, saw his dream crumble in the perils of “Amen Corner” with a fatal double bogey on the 12th, followed by three consecutive bogeys that kept him from the cut for the fifth time in six majors.
Finally, Nico Echavarria, despite having a PGA Tour victory this season, could not avoid multiple double and triple bogeys that left him out of the weekend, once again confirming his struggles in major competitions.
The 2026 Masters promises an electrifying weekend with a shorter player roster, where only the most consistent and prepared will have the opportunity to fight for the coveted Green Jacket. What remains is the confirmation that Augusta National does not forgive and that, in this championship, today’s heroes can be tomorrow’s absentees.
