GOLFER SUPREMACY RANKINGS

Golfer Supremacy Rankings congratulates the ham 'n eggers on the PGA and LPGA Tours

By William K. Wolfrum,
Staff Writer

Here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, we tend to focus on the spectacular. Whether it's Tiger Woods winning a tournament by 38 shots, Natalie Gulbis showing off her latest fashions, or Lorena Ochoa setting Mexico aflame with her exploits, we love nothing more than ranking golfers who dazzle both on and off the course.

But this week is a time to appreciate the ham-and-eggers of the pro golf world. The players who have seen many more downs than ups, but have kept coming back for more. Because while it's fun to watch the best in the game shine, it can be just as fun or more to see the underdogs come out on top. And it's been a good time lately for the underdogs.

Golfer Supremacy Rankings

1. Steve Lowery

Comments: Taking advantage of Vijay Singh's collapse, Lowery took the title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and appeared to arrive at the award ceremony via raft, such was his unshaven condition. We appreciate Lowery's look and game so much, it was enough to put him on top this week - his first-ever appearance in the rankings. The 47-year-old Lowery is a pro's pro, and hadn't won in his previous 199 outings on the PGA Tour.

"For me it was a bit of relief. I couldn't have given it any more in 18 holes. I'd been focusing all week. I just kind of told my caddie, I've got nothing to lose. Just go out and play aggressive. I guess if anything, it kind of freed me up a little bit. I just felt like I didn't have anything to lose," Lowery said after capturing his third career Tour title and first since 2000. Previous to that, Lowery had won in 1994. So, according to our calculations, he'll be in the winner's circle - and on top of the Golfer Supremacy Rankings - again in 2015.

2. Pat Perez

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Comments: Perez made some fans here at the Rankings when it seemed he would be facing Tiger Woods at the Match Play Championship in Tucson.

Told that Woods could be his first-round opponent, Perez jokingly said: "It would be a free show for me. If I beat him, I'm a hero. If I don't, I'm not supposed to win. ... If I beat him, I may quit, just pack it in. If anybody asks, 'When's the last time you played?' I'd say, 'Aw, I beat Tiger. I'm done.'"

Well played, Pat. But you'll miss out and being matched against Woods, as Brett Wetterich was forced to pull out of the tourney.

3. Lisa Hall

Comments: Helped out by a shocking miss of a short putt on the final hole by Hyun-Ju Shin, England's Hall took home the title at the Australian Ladies Masters. For Hall, the victory is a return to form after a heinous few years that saw her game drop off to the point that she couldn't get the ball airborne. After missing the cut in all 16 LPGA tournaments she entered in 2004, her game was as good as gone.

"I had actually applied for a job as a teaching professional but when I missed out that was probably telling me something," said Hall.

Hall quit the game in 2005, but is now back. All the way back after a final-round 66 and Shin's miss gave her the title. A great win, and great story.

Random Identity Problem: This week, the PGA Tour's best will be teeing off at the Northern Trust Open. A New tournament, you ask? No, it used to be the Nissan Open. What was the Nissan Open again? Oh yeah, it was the Los Angeles Open. It's still played at the Riviera Country Club, but it's a shining example of how corporate sponsorship - while great for purses and other things in the game - can strip a tournament of its personality.

February 13, 2008

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