Jordan Spieth, the guy who hoisted the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale in 2017, had an absolutely brutal Friday, carding a 77 that pushed him to a staggering 10-over for the British Open. What a devastating early exit from the final major of the year for a player with that kind of history on this very course. We all know the Claret Jug is on the line, and to see a former champ vanish like that, especially when scores were low and birdies were essential to even have a prayer, it just stings.
The Crushing Blow to Major Contenders
Spieth’s 77 on Friday wasn’t just disappointing, it was a major shocker, cementing his 10-over score for the tournament. Can you even imagine that? Double digits over par at a major he’s previously dominated on this very soil. He definitely wasn’t alone in packing his bags early either. A whole lineup of massive names, players we expected to be making a run, couldn’t play their way into Saturday. We’re talking about defending champions and major winners like Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, and Wyndham Clark all surprisingly missing the cut. Aaron Rai and Cameron Smith barely missed too, both at +2, while Viktor Hovland and Jason Day joined Fitzpatrick and Rose at +4. These are some of the game’s elite, and they’re watching the weekend from the sidelines. Brutal.
That +1 Line Separated the Best from the Rest
The cut line itself for this Open Championship was set at a razor-thin +1. That means if you were even one single stroke over that number, your tournament was done. Only 78 players out of a massive 156-player field managed to get to +1 or better to secure their spot for the final two rounds. It’s a real testament to how incredibly tough Royal Birkdale was playing for anyone not on their absolute A-game. Think about it: this is one of the more forgiving major cut rules out there. The British Open, tied with the PGA Championship, allows the top 70 players plus ties to advance, which is more generous than the U.S. Open at 60 plus ties, and way more than the Masters with its tight 50 plus ties. Yet, even with that extra wiggle room, almost half the field, including some massive names, couldn’t make it.
So, while some of the world’s absolute best are headed home with a bitter taste, the fight for the Claret Jug continues for those 78 players who truly earned their weekend. The drama is far from over at Royal Birkdale, and we’re totally ready to see who steps up, who grabs that momentum, and who ultimately takes advantage of a slightly thinned-out, but still incredibly strong, field. Get ready for some unbelievable golf action. We can’t wait to see who lifts that iconic trophy!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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