By Jon Levy - Staff Writer

May 16, 2010
-- Scottsdale, Ariz.


Just a week after Jesse Mueller celebrated his 11th-career victory on The Gateway Tour -- a sudden-death playoff win over Benoit Beisser in Desert Spring Series No. 3 at Tonto Verde -- he wasted no time in winning his 12th, by posting rounds of 68/68/66-202 (14 under) this week at McCormick Ranch - Pine to take a one-stroke win over Eric Meierdierks (63/70/70-203), worth $9,000.

Trailing Meierdierks by three shots heading into the final round, quite simply -- in grabbing his third victory of 2010 alone -- the 27-year-old Mesa, Ariz. resident has learned how to get the job done.

“I don’t know what it is,” said Mueller of his affinity for winning on The Gateway Tour. “I guess when I’m trailing like that, I just get really focused on making as many birdies as possible to catch up.”

He made five in his final nine alone, which led to a closing (4 under) 32 and (6 under) 66.

“Everything was pretty good this week, I was just kind of hanging around the first two days and then I just got hot in those last nine holes,” Mueller said. “I knew I was a shot or two back after (No.) nine and then my putter really heated up and I birdied (Nos.) 10, 11 and 12, and I just tried to keep it going at that point and get as much room in front of me as possible.”

Adding two more birdies on Nos. 16 and 18, while suffering just one blemish -- a bogey on the 470-yard par-4, 15th -- Mueller completed yet another amazing final round push to victory that has seen him close with some pretty impressive scores this year. His 66 was, in fact, the highest final round score in each of his wins this year, as he closed with a 62 and 64 en route to titles in The Gateway Tour’s 2010 season-opener at Anthem and last week’s win at Tonto Verde.

“I don’t really know why it’s been that way,” said Mueller, “ but it seems this year that if I get a couple of birdies, it leads to a whole bunch more.

“I think my confidence just grows when that happens, and I start feeling like I can make everything.”

Batting 1000% as a married man, as Mueller has now won both of his starts since recently tying the knot, his wife has a reasoning of her own for his good play of late.

“She’s definitely taking credit saying it’s because we’re married now,” joked Mueller.

On a serious note, though: What are the key factors to his dominant play on The Gateway Tour?

“This year is definitely the best I’ve played so far,” said Mueller. “Really, just being in contention as much as I have…I’ve had other years when I’ve won multiple times, but I’ve never been in contention as much as I have this year, so it’s really nice to see that progression in my game.

“I think it’s just staying patient out there,” he continued. “My ball-striking has become more consistent, which definitely gives me more opportunities, but I’ve been able to just let it happen when I’m in the situation and take advantage when I can.”

Taking advantage of $71,885 in 2010 earnings, Mueller holds an almost $20,000 money list lead over Meierdierks ($51,928.33) in yearlong earnings. What’s more impressive, his seven starts this year stack up to just half of Meirdierks’ 14.

The verdict? If anything -- in his competition’s eyes, at least --he’s officially the man to beat every time he tees it up.


Click here for full field results from McCormick Ranch and stay tuned as the Tour takes a week off before resuming at McCormick Ranch again, May 26-28, on the club’s Palm Course…