O.J. Simpson (seen in happier times with his daughter) tops the Golfer Supremacy Rankings. (Courtesy Wikipedia)

O.J. Simpson steals the top spot in the Golfer Supremacy Rankings

By William K. Wolfrum,
Contributor

For golf fans around the globe, this is a fantastic time. The FedEx Cup playoffs are over, which means we get to spend a lot less time going out of our way to mock them. The Presidents Cup is around the corner, as is the Samsung World Championships. All told, it's a fine time to be a golf fan.

Of course, this is golf, so one name towers over all, even at this time of the year. No, we're not talking about Tiger Woods. We're talking O.J. Yes, O.J. Simpson, the world's most famous tailback-turned-golf-course-detective, is soon to be hitting a fairway near you as he anxiously looks for the people who really allegedly committed armed robbery against some memorabilia collectors.

So sure, while there is plenty going on in the world of golf, O.J. surpasses them all as by far the most supreme. After all, how many others so closely identified with golf can leap to the front page of every newspaper and be the lead story on every newscast? Not many.

Accept it. O.J. is back. Because in all seriousness, who among us hasn't enjoyed a long weekend of playing great golf courses in Las Vegas, followed by an armed shakedown of a memorabilia collector? At the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, we know we're guilty. But when O.J. does it, the world notices. Say what you will, that's something to appreciate.

Golfer Supremacy Rankings

1. O.J. Simpson

Comments: There was a time, a long, long time ago, when O.J. Simpson was as liked a person as any on the planet. People would have literally paid a small fortune to play a friendly round of golf with a man who owned a Heisman Trophy, as well as key parts in the "Naked Gun" series. Alas, those days are long gone, as now the word "flee!!" comes to mind when O.J. is mentioned. To give some credit, you do have to give the Juice some juice for carving out a second career that, while not profitable in the least, keeps him in the public eye. How often do you hear from Eric Dickerson these days? Nonetheless, Simpson is more viewed as a golfer these days than as a football player, which means that golf now has to deal with someone who every decade or so has to go to court to try and defend himself from murder, or armed robbery charges. Say what you will about O.J., but the man has proven he's willing to pull out the big guns (or knives?) in order to stay in the public eye.

2. Steve Flesch

Comments: This was the type of thing the FedEx Cup was designed to prevent. Here the PGA Tour goes and throws a perfectly good golf tournament, and Steve Flesch wins the dang thing. This leaves perfectly respectable golf rankings systems to sit around and ponder what a cool porn name Steve Flesch has. That's what we're left with after Flesch strung together three brilliant rounds and cruised home with a 73 to win the Turning Stone Resort Championship. It's the second win for Flesch in 2007 and fourth of his career. And if he keeps this up, golf is doomed. After all, when it comes to golfers, the less Flesch you see, the better.

3. Tim Finchem

Comments: It's easy to give Finchem a hard time. Real easy. Fun, too. But, hey, while it's easy to give Finchem a hard time for desperately trying to squeeze every last cent out of professional golf, it shouldn't keep us from giving credit where credit is due. By helping to champion the new drug-testing policy that will cover the PGA Tour, LPGA, European PGA Tour and all other pro golf tours by the time it's fully in effect, Finchem has finally taken the problem of performance-enhancing drugs seriously. Because golf fans can argue all they like about the effect steroids can have on golfers, but just take a look at the sports pages and you'll see that they are a serious, serious problem throughout the sports world. By attacking the problem before it's really a problem in golf, Finchem has truly shown leadership on this issue.

Random Rugby Observations: Rugby (also known as "hey, get him!" in some parts) is in the midst of its World Cup, and some of the world's best rugby players are gathered in France showcasing their abilities. Of course, at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, our favorite rugby star is Terry Lamb, who likes to spice up his rounds of golf with the occasional full-blown melee. Rugby and golf - they go together like chess and a kick in the groin.

September 25, 2007

William K. Wolfrum keeps one eye on the PGA Tour and another watching golf vacation hotspots and letting travelers in on the best place to vacation. You can follow him on Twitter @Wolfrum.