Completed Event: Men's Golf at John A. Burns Intercollegiate on February 12, 2026 , , 13th of 19
M Golf
at John A. Burns Intercollegiate
13th of 19
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Takashi Sato
Mueller misses Phoenix Open cut by 1
2/5/2021 7:30:00 PM | Men's Golf, Paul Coro
Late birdies put GCU Golf Course PGA Director on cut line
When Jesse Mueller sank three birdies over his final six holes Friday, he left TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course with a two-day score that put him within the projected cut line for advancing to the Waste Management Phoenix Open's weekend play.
But as the rest of the field finished and scores improved, the tournament's two-round cut line moved by one stroke and left Mueller out despite his 2-under-par play over Thursday and Friday. It was a major improvement from his debut at the Phoenix Open in 2018, when a 2-under score would have made the cut.
Mueller, the GCU Golf Course's PGA Director of Golf, birdied Nos. 16 and 17 and the Golf Channel broadcast his 12-foot par at No. 18 with announcer Dan Hicks believing Mueller was safe.
"Mueller, who is a great story," Hicks said as Mueller finished. "That gets him into the weekend at 2 under with that par saver. He got into this event by winning the Southwest PGA Championship to earn a spot. He's the Director of Golf at Grand Canyon University Championship Golf Course. He's an assistant coach there as well. So a great story there."
It was a different experience for Mueller than when he played in front of the customary huge crowds in 2018 with first-time nerves. About 5,000 fans were permitted for this year's event as part of COVID-19 precautions, but he brought the same amount of Lopes purple on his bag and his shirt.
"Just a lot of fun," Mueller said after Thursday's round. "Obviously, a lot different than the last time I played, but I'm just thankful for everyone in my family and friends that are able to come out. Just a lot fun to play in front of the family."
Mueller shot 1 over par in Thursday's first round after carding birdies on two of his final four holes. He worked that score back to even on Friday's third hole, when he recovered from first and second shots into the rough and hit an approach within 12 feet. He sank that birdie on the par-5 hole.
Mueller, 37, slipped back to 1 over par with a seventh-hole bogey, but he made his surge on the back nine. It began with another par-5 hole at No. 13, where he hit a 302-yard drive and a second shot to the green's fringe. Pitching from 66 feet away, Mueller put the ball within 3 inches of the hole and converted the birdie to move to even par.
For the second consecutive day, Mueller came up clutch with late back-to-back birdies. He greatly improved his putting from 2.71 per hole Thursday to 2.19 per hole Friday, including a 12-foot birdie at the par-3 16th hole. He followed that with a pitch at the par-4 17th hole that set up a 4-foot birdie and a 2-under-par tournament score.
The event marked Mueller's fourth PGA Tour appearance, including the 2012 U.S. Open and two pro visits to the TPC Scottsdale course where he grew up as a fan from east Mesa. Mueller, also a GCU men's golf volunteer assistant coach, made a proud effort to qualify for an event exemption and to finish ahead of golf stars such as Jason Day, Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, Padraig Harrington and Rory Sabbatini.
But as the rest of the field finished and scores improved, the tournament's two-round cut line moved by one stroke and left Mueller out despite his 2-under-par play over Thursday and Friday. It was a major improvement from his debut at the Phoenix Open in 2018, when a 2-under score would have made the cut.
Mueller, the GCU Golf Course's PGA Director of Golf, birdied Nos. 16 and 17 and the Golf Channel broadcast his 12-foot par at No. 18 with announcer Dan Hicks believing Mueller was safe.
"Mueller, who is a great story," Hicks said as Mueller finished. "That gets him into the weekend at 2 under with that par saver. He got into this event by winning the Southwest PGA Championship to earn a spot. He's the Director of Golf at Grand Canyon University Championship Golf Course. He's an assistant coach there as well. So a great story there."
It was a different experience for Mueller than when he played in front of the customary huge crowds in 2018 with first-time nerves. About 5,000 fans were permitted for this year's event as part of COVID-19 precautions, but he brought the same amount of Lopes purple on his bag and his shirt.
"Just a lot of fun," Mueller said after Thursday's round. "Obviously, a lot different than the last time I played, but I'm just thankful for everyone in my family and friends that are able to come out. Just a lot fun to play in front of the family."
Mueller shot 1 over par in Thursday's first round after carding birdies on two of his final four holes. He worked that score back to even on Friday's third hole, when he recovered from first and second shots into the rough and hit an approach within 12 feet. He sank that birdie on the par-5 hole.
Mueller, 37, slipped back to 1 over par with a seventh-hole bogey, but he made his surge on the back nine. It began with another par-5 hole at No. 13, where he hit a 302-yard drive and a second shot to the green's fringe. Pitching from 66 feet away, Mueller put the ball within 3 inches of the hole and converted the birdie to move to even par.
For the second consecutive day, Mueller came up clutch with late back-to-back birdies. He greatly improved his putting from 2.71 per hole Thursday to 2.19 per hole Friday, including a 12-foot birdie at the par-3 16th hole. He followed that with a pitch at the par-4 17th hole that set up a 4-foot birdie and a 2-under-par tournament score.
The event marked Mueller's fourth PGA Tour appearance, including the 2012 U.S. Open and two pro visits to the TPC Scottsdale course where he grew up as a fan from east Mesa. Mueller, also a GCU men's golf volunteer assistant coach, made a proud effort to qualify for an event exemption and to finish ahead of golf stars such as Jason Day, Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, Padraig Harrington and Rory Sabbatini.
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