If ever we needed a reminder of why the PGA Tour needs to keep the 36-hole cut intact, Saturday morning at the Black Desert Championship could be Exhibit A.
Both Wesley Bryan and Dylan Wu elected to wait overnight when the horn blew on Friday at 7:08 p.m. suspending play due to darkness. They were two of 19 players still on the course at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah who were unable to complete the second round.
Bryan faced a 14-foot eagle putt while Wu needed to knock in a 4-foot par putt to make the cut. Every cut — and FedEx Cup point — is precious for two players who are battling to keep their Tour card for next season during the FedEx Fall. The top 125 will be exempt into all full-field events and the Players Championship next season while Nos. 126-150 will earn full Korn Ferry Tour status and conditional status on Tour next season. Bryan entered the week at No. 138 and Wu at No. 128. So, just a wee bit of pressure to sleep on — no big deal.
Not for these pros with nerves of steel. When play resumed at 8:15 a.m. local time, both players came through in the clutch to finish with a 36-hole total of 5-under 137 and earn a third-round tee time on Saturday. Bryan knew his eagle try, which wrapped up a bogey-free 6-under 65, was good about halfway there. Check out his joy —hats off to Wes! — here.
A 4-foot par putt on No. 9 and 14-foot eagle putt on No. 18 await Dylan Wu and Wesley Bryan as they attempt to make the cut @BDChampionship.
The two will return in the morning for a chance to play the weekend. pic.twitter.com/5JXEgSWMYQ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 12, 2024
Not everyone had a happy ending. If Bryan and Wu were the thrill of living to play another round, then Rafa Campos was the agony of defeat as he missed a 15-foot birdie putt at his final hole to fall one short. Both showed why the cut still matters and should remain a key component of what makes the PGA Tour special. No guaranteed contracts here. On the Tour, you eat what you kill.