Cut Rule Amended, Couple of Other Changes to Note

One major changes and a couple of significant one offs were announced today by Ponte Vedra just in time for the Honda Classic this weekend.

First, the cut policy was amended just as has been quoted in this blog and reported for a few weeks:

Under the amended regulation, the starting field will still be reduced to the lowest 70 professionals and ties after 36 holes. However, should the 36-hole cut total more than 78 professionals, there will be a second cut to the lowest 70 professionals plus ties at the conclusion of 54 holes of tournament play. Players not advancing to the final round of play will receive their appropriate share of the official prize money in accordance with their respective positions.

The change is effective immediately, beginning with this week's The Honda Classic. PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said the TOUR would also begin to monitor the impact a cut to the low 65 and ties -- "which is another thing the players seem interested in," he said -- would have, and the dialog would continue.

Some players are NOT going to like that one, but still, a commercial to stay tuned for in the future!

The one offs are quick hits:

The Memorial field will expand from 108 to 120 as the PGA Tour seeks to have invitationals with at least 120 players. Well, at least the Tour has decided to get the mass of invitational fields to at least look like they're full field events.

Starting in 2010, the Fry's Electronics Open will be played at a course in California called The Institute - owned by Fry's. It's going to be renamed the Institute Championship and become an invitational with a field of 120 players. A Fall Series event as an invitational? I KNOW the B and C listers will not be happy.