Merion’s East Course is the big winner on Friday at the 2013 U.S. Open, and as such, the cut line continues to inch deep into the black figures. As the second wave makes its way through the second round, the projected cut is currently 8-over. Just hours earlier, it was 4-over, but a Friday Merion massacre has the short layout, which was projected to play much easier than your standard U.S. Open, standing up to and battering the modern player and his equipment. The top 60 and ties will all get through, with the USGA not employing the 10-shot rule as it carves down one of the largest fields of the season (156 players).
2013 U.S. Open golf projected cut: Line moves to 8-over as Merion batters field on Friday
It’s a massacre at Merion, with the cut line creeping upward by the hour.
With approximately half the field finished, there have already been 12 rounds in the 80s and only one round under par -- Billy Horschel’s 67, which is looking more miraculous by the minute. There have been only four rounds of even-par 70, meaning some 70-plus golfers finished their round over par.
It’s simply been a disaster, but anyone at 8-over or better is safe as of now. That could climb to 9-over by the time this wave of players, who are making a further mess of the course, finish up on Saturday morning. The USGA will not be able to make the cut until Saturday, with the last group on Friday not teeing off until right around 6 p.m. ET. For some of these players with no hope of playing the final two rounds, it has to be frustrating knowing they’ll have to come back for another day and play out the string.
Here are some of the bigger names packing their bags, including four recent U.S. Open champions:
Nick Watney -- +10
Zach Johnson -- +11
Lucas Glover -- +11
Graeme McDowell -- +13
Jordan Spieth -- +13
Marc Leishman -- +13
Angel Cabrera -- +15
Darren Clarke -- +15
Jim Furyk -- +16
Jose Maria Olazabal -- +16
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