2013 U.S. Open: Cut line lands on +8 at Merion Golf Club

With high scores the norm at Merion, the cut line for players making it into the final two rounds of the 2013 U.S. Open rose throughout Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

When the second round ended just after 10:00 a.m. Eastern, the cut line was sealed at eight strokes over par. A total of 73 players survived, with 55 players beating 8-over and 18 right on the line.

Big-name players who missed the cut include Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk.

Here's a look at how the cut line moved during the second round:

8:55 a.m. Saturday: The final few hours of the second round saw the cut line move up to +8, with 56 players at +7 or better and 19 tied at the high mark.

8:15 p.m. Friday: With just a little sunlight left, the projected cut rose again to +7, with 56 players at +6 or better and 13 tied at the high mark.

6:42 p.m. Friday: As scores continue to climb, the projected cut moved to +6, with 54 players at +5 or better and 12 tied at the high mark.

4:45 p.m. Friday: After spending much of the afternoon at +4, the cut line is now +5, with 57 players at +4 or better and 15 tied at the high mark.

Last year at Olympic, the 36-hole cut was at eight-over par, and there's reason to believe this year's number will approach that by the end of the second round - whether that be Friday evening or Saturday morning. The course continues to dry out, and the winds are beginning to pick up. This course isn't getting any easier.

The top 60 players and those tied at the high mark ill earn the right to play through the weekend. Up until last year, the USGA allowed for a provision that stated any player within 10 shots of the lead would not be cut after 36 holes. That is no longer the case.

How does Merion's cut line stack up against past U.S. Opens? Well, let's start by comparing this year's event to past ones at Merion. In 1971, the cut was also +8, and in 1981 it was +7.

Here's a look at the cut lines from the last five Opens:

2012 at Olympic Club (San Francisco, Calif.): +8

2011 at Congressional Country Club (Bethesda, Md.): +4

2010 at Pebble Beach (Monterey, Calif.): +7

2009 at Bethpage Black (Farmingdale, N.Y.): +4

2008 at Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.): +7

Philly.com has complete coverage of the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club.