Golfer Supremacy Rankings: All your golf tournament games are belong to us

Here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings we know a story when we see one. Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam winning events? Been there, done that. Nike and B.J., squeezing every last cent out of Michelle Wie at another men’s event? So what.

No, the story here is Kang, and how he can now walk proudly amongst his peers, knowing full well that he is Ji-Man.

Golfer Supremacy Rankings

1. Kang Ji-Man

Comments: Kang recently won the Shinhan Donghae Open Golf Championship, his first career victory. The moment was beautifully recorded by Donga.com, in a sort of “All your base are belong to us” translation moment:

It was at the 18th hole (Par 4). Kang Ji-man who was the co-leader, hit his second shot to a place three meters from the cup, and powerfully raised his right hand up almost as if to confirm his victory. Kang, who had been sure of his win, successfully made a birdie putt without any hesitation. It was the moment that he made his first victory, at the age of 30, after joining the pros in 1999.

It happened at the final fourth round of the 22nd Shinhan Donghae Open Golf Championship held at the south course (Par 72) of Gyeonggi Yongin Lakeside CC on September 3. Kang Ji-man made up for six shots by making six birdies and recording a total of 19 under-par, 269 shots, defeating last year’s U.S. Open Champion Michael Campbell by one shot.

Kang, despite his relatively short height of 173cm, is known to be excellent at long-distance shots, coming in first place for the longest driving distance (295.6 yards) in the first half of this year, and also has a good sense of putting. He said, “I had a lot of hard times in the past seven years, and because I was a player who had no wins I didn’t receive recognition anywhere, so I’m really happy right now.”

Kang Ji-man did not have good results on the professional stage and two years ago, due to financial difficulties, he had thought of giving up golf. But with the help of those around him he held the club once again, and recently reading some books about golf psychology, he fixed his weak point, which was mental power.

After receiving the advice, “If you keep knocking, the door will open,” from Choi Kyung-ju, who played the third round together with him, Kang Ji-man has finally opened the door to victory at his 68th tournament game.

The Golfer Supremacy Rankings officially recognize Kang Ji-Man on his first tournament game victory, his good sense of putting and on his obviously increased mental powers.

2. Tiger Woods

Comments: In continuing to prepare to lead his team to a humiliating, crushing defeat in the Ryder Cup, Woods won his fifth consecutive PGA Tour event by pulling away from an aging, bitter Vijay Singh to win the Deutsche Bank Championship. Woods’ mental powers were never in question as he notched his seventh victory of the season. Only by leading the U.S. to victory in the Ryder Cup could Tiger’s 2006 be more complete. Go ahead, Tiger, we dare you.

3. Annika Sorenstam

Comments: Sorenstam had a brilliant final round, shooting a 62 to overcome Cristie Kerr and win the State Farm Classic, her fourth victory. Sorenstam’s victory once again showcased her abilities, which is just annoying to women’s golf fans who will be much more interested in hearing about Michelle Wie getting her rear handed to her after two rounds this coming week at the Omega European Masters.

4. Thomas Bjorn

Comments: After being left off the European Ryder Cup team Bjorn had this to say:

Random Factoid: Edinburgh locals are aghast as vandals have attacked the Ratho Park Golf Club, just days before the Scottish club hosts a golf tournament for the blind. Of course, they are even more shocked at some of the comments made by readers regarding the story, which include:

” Maybe the damage was done in the practice rounds.”

“This would never have happened if Scotland was Independent. I blame the English.”

“To avoid unwanted intrusion, they could play the game at night.”

–WKW