GOLFER SUPREMACY RANKINGS

Annika Sorenstam proves golf superiority still her game

By William K. Wolfrum,
Staff Writer

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Here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings will freely admit that we've become almost an exclusively pro-Lorena Ochoa rankings system over the past year or so. And why not? The talented young Guadalajara native has been everything one could want from the No. 1 female golfer. Nonetheless, fans of the last dominant No. 1 aren't just quick to point out that their charge not only was more dominant than Ochoa, but still may be.

And this weekend, Annika Sorenstam showed she still has the game to go with the name. By winning the Stanford International Pro-Am at The Fairmont Turnberry Resort & Club for her second victory of the year, Sorenstam again has proven that when it comes to golf greats of this era - for now, at least - her name and game belong several pegs ahead of Ochoa's when it comes to all-time great LPGA golfers.

Golfer Supremacy Rankings

1. Annika Sorenstam

Comments: Just when we'd finally felt that we'd never have to hear about Tiger Woods texting a message to Annika congratulating her on a win, we feel we may have celebrated too soon. Because, you see, if there was one overriding theme from the 2007 LPGA Tour it was this - dissing Annika. Sure, she was great. She's a Hall of Famer. She's an all-time great. But her back was hurt, she was showing signs of age in her game, and she had been spending more and more time on other ventures. In 2008 and healthy, however, it appears Sorenstam is ready for at least a final run at the best of the LPGA. While returning to the No. 1 spot would appear a long shot, with three more majors remaining, Sorenstam may be the one player who could catch an out-of-control Ochoa.

2. Adam Scott

Comments: It took a 48-foot putt to fall on the third playoff hole, but Aussie sensation Scott was the winner at the PGA Tour's EDS Byron Nelson Championship. With the victory, Scott once again becomes a hot topic heading into the majors, where he'll again come up short, leaving us all to say "some day Adam Scott will win a big one." The win was Scott's first this season and sixth of his impressive Tour career. The Aussie now ranks No. 9 on the Tour money list. At just 27, expect to see years and years more of Scott not winning majors but looking very impressive while not doing so. Because, more than anything, Scott is proof of a great truth - every generation has its own Greg Norman.

3. Darren Clarke

Comments: Clarke returned to winner's circle for the first time since the death of his wife Heather two years ago. Clarke dramatically sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the Asian Open for his first victory since 2003.

"It was always going to be a difficult hurdle for me to get back into the winner's enclosure after Heather passed away," Clarke told the press after his win.

We'll keep it simple: We're quite happy for Clarke. He's a really good guy.

Honorable Mention: What team of golfers showed off more leathery skin than "Godzilla" yet still managed a Senior Tour win? Why Tom Watson and Andy North, that's who. North and Watson - each of whom have lucrative deals to be skinned and made into luggage when they finally retire - won the Legends of Golf title, thus bathing themselves in triumph, and hopefully lotion.

April 28, 2008

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.