PGA Tour player faces missed cut agony on FedEx Cup Playoff bubble

PGA Tour player Austin Smotherman has missed the cut in heartbreaking fashion at the Wyndham Championship, ending his chances of progressing in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

When play was called on Friday evening due to darkness at 8.20 pm local time, there were 65 players at 2-under-par or better and 88 players at 1-under-par or better.

Smotherman, who entered the week in 125th place in the FedEx Cup standings, resumed his round this morning at Sedgefield Country Club at 6.47 am. He had a putt just short of 12 feet for a birdie on the 8th hole, his 17th hole of the second round.

The American failed to hole it, meaning he stayed on 1-under-par. This turned out to be the cutline, so Smotherman needed a par on the final hole to keep his FedEx Cup future in his hands for the weekend.

Unfortunately, the 28-year-old made a double-bogey on the par-4 9th hole, leaving himself on 1-over-par and two shots short of qualifying for the weekend.

In total, 87 players made the cut after 36 holes in North Carolina. This is the highest number since the cut rule changed to low 65 and ties in the 2019/2020 season.

The last time 87 players or more made the cut on tour was at the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship which was won by Max Homa. In fact, Homa shared his thoughts on Smotherman's tough morning on social media.

"Damn. Cut stays at -1. Smotherman misses. I feel for him that’s gotta be brutal to sleep on that w/ ur season on the line. #golf af. And yes I’m up early getting worms and whatnot. Credit to me," the popular American tweeted.

Smotherman earned his first PGA Tour card by coming 25th in the Korn Ferry Tour points standings. He made five top-10s and 12 top-25s in 41 starts last season.

The top 125 players in the FedEx Cup standings will make it to the FedEx St. Jude Championship, however, Smotherman has already fallen to 135th place without the weekend to play.