Once again, The golf world was led by Tiger Woods, who tops the Golfer Supremacy Rankings year-end rankings. (Courtesy PGA of America)

Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie highlight Golfer Supremacy Rankings' 2007 finale

By William K. Wolfrum,
Contributor

Another year has gone by, and with it, more surprises from the world of golf. Of course, nothing surprises us more here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings than the fact that we still have jobs.

Yes, over the years, we have become the most controversial golf rankings system on the planet, and have drawn ire from "The Man" (you know who you are). But we are not to be denied in our endless pursuit to rank golfers in our own unique way. We are dogged in our pursuit of golf perfection, both on and off the course. And while we at the GSR are saddened that our super computer lost its favorite hamster, Bucky, due to boredom from the FedEx Cup playoffs, we fight on.

That's why we're proud to submit our final rankings for 2007. It's been an incredible year that has seen Tiger Woods and Lorena Ochoa continue their dominance on the course, while those like Natalie Gulbis, Michelle Wie and Rory Sabbatini kept us busy off the course.

So with no further delay, here are our year-end rankings for 2007.

Golfer Supremacy Rankings: Best of 2007

1. Tiger Woods

Comments: We actually tried to be bold and rank Tiger at No. 2, but we found we were violating federal and international law. You see, at this point of his career, it is actually illegal not to call Woods the best in the world. Ranking him any less than No. 1 will earn a rankings system punishment on par with government felon Scooter Libby.

Of course, it would be silly not to rank Woods the best, because the man continues to dominate the golf world in much the same way as Wham! once dominated the pop charts. Again named the PGA Tour's Player of the Year, Woods again put up a startling campaign, winning seven times on tour, including his 13th career major at the PGA Championship. Then, after taking a two-month break, Woods returned to score a runaway victory Sunday at the Target World Challenge. To top it off, he helped the U.S. team to a victory at the Presidents Cup.

So, once again, Woods had a year that would be a career for many outstanding golfers. And to make it even more impressive, he did it all with a new baby - the adorable and undoubtedly talented Sam Alexis - as well with putting up with asinine questions from the golf media. He even announced his first American golf course design to be built at the Cliffs Communities. In memory of Bucky, it's an honor to call Tiger Woods the Golfer Supremacy Rankings Golfer of the Year.

2. Lorena Ochoa

Comments: While 2006 saw Ochoa vault to the top of women's golf, 2007 was the year the darling of Mexico became a full-fledged star. Ochoa scored an amazing eight victories in 2007, including a runaway victory at the Women's British Open at St. Andrews, her first career major.

And while Ochoa leaves something to be desired off the course (where are the controversies??) her complete dominance on the course puts her in position to become one of the greatest women golfers in history. She'll even be the star of an upcoming documentary in 2008. While the LPGA has shown great parity, one woman - Lorena Ochoa - has shown herself to be the best there is at this point in time.

3. Rory Sabbatini

Comments: While the Golfer Supremacy Rankings are famed for ranking the best golfers in the world, we're also known for appreciating the eclectic. And loudmouths. Man, we love a good loudmouth, and Sabbatini has fit that bill perfectly in the often dreary world of professional golf.

Sabbatini was a wondrous mix of mouth and golf game in 2007, but the fact that his golf game couldn't keep up with his mouth made it all the better. The winner at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in May, Sabbatini had the gall to call Tiger Woods "more beatable than ever" after losing to Woods at the Wachovia. He then went on to get spanked by Tiger for the rest of the year, and stunk up the Presidents Cup. It was inspiring in its way.

And to start 2008 in style, Sabbatini decided to pull Tiger's tail one last time in 2007, as he pulled out in the middle of Woods' invite-only Target World Challenge, citing shin splints.

"A lot of different things going on," said Woods afterward. "I'd like to try and get to the bottom of it when I'm done here, and we'll see what happens."

We at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings know one thing for sure, no matter what happens in 2008, Sabbatini will have his say, and probably blame the media for reporting it.

4. Michelle Wie

Comments: How can we rank a girl who has never won as a professional and appears washed up at the tender age of 18? How dare we give more attention to a golfer who could barely break 80 on a putt-putt course during a disastrous 2007 campaign?

Well, because Nike paid us, that's why.

So look for great things from Wie in the coming years. Because as she's said (ad infinitum), her game is really starting to come around, and she's just a few swings from turning those 80s into 75s. An added bonus for Wie is her management, which smartly pulled her from the course heading into the final two holes of the Ginn Tribute when it appeared she'd score an 88, which would have led to her being disqualified from future 2007 LPGA events. Sure, it was an extremely shady move, but we appreciate that sort of thing.

In the end, Michelle Wie is the anti-Lorena Ochoa - no wins, crappy golf game, and lots of controversy. We look forward to what she brings to the golf world in 2008.

Random Humongous Disappointment: Natalie Gulbis, obviously full of herself due to scoring her first LPGA Tour win in 2007, released her 2008 calendar that featured her fully dressed and with no bikini shots. The golf world has rarely been more saddened.

Random Clarification: The Will Smith movie "I Am Legend" is not a Tiger Woods' bio pic, as previously reported.

December 18, 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.