So, what else is new? The two super-golfers are tops again!It doesn't really surprise me that either of the two money-list headliners took accolades at their respective tournaments.
Tiger Woods rallied against Japanese sensation Kaname Yokoo in a playoff to finally birdie the fourth playoff hole at that tournament. Annika Sorenstam led heading into the final round and finished two strokes ahead of Liselotte Neumann and Michele Redman. I wonder if the ladies of the LPGA will ever be able to overtake Sorenstam or will she go down in the annals of history as the one player never to drop below the number-one position on the ADT Official Money List during her "reign"?
Annika Sorenstam has now been victorious in half of all the tournaments she entered this year (10) and has also claimed several other titles along with the season-ender including the Vare Trophy and the Rolex Player of the Year award. She's going to have to expand her trophy cabinet!
But Sorenstam says that she'll focus most of her attention on winning the major tournaments so the Swede might give the other players, such as number-two on the money list Paula Creamer, a chance to move into the top perch.
Speaking of Creamer, the Pink Panther's rookie season has been incredible. She won four tournaments this year, two on the LPGA and two on the JLPGA Tour. Even with this breakout season Creamer's number two money position stands over $1 million behind the Swede!
Millionaires have been created this season on the tour. Lorena Ochoa, Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr and Sorenstam have topped the $1 million mark. Gulbis even achieved this feat without a win! As purses increase, so will the ability to earn the big money.
In conclusion, I'm really happy that Annika ended her season the way it began, namely, with a win! Her first victory of 2005 started off at the Mastercard and now she ends her official season at the ADT, the same name that lends itself to the official money list at the beautiful Trump International Golf Club under adverse conditions. Frankly I expected a win from the both of them, both Annika and Tiger. Since they practice with each other, I guess it would be expected that the two would learn something from each other.
PS. I thought it would be interesting to select this shot of Sorenstam holding the trophy at the 2004 ADT Championship. She hasn't changed much now, has she?
Photo Credit: © Getty Images.
