Martin Hopley
By Martin Hopley

Adams Golf is positioning itself to "own the second shot" thanks to being the number one hybrid played on the PGA Tour and European Tour.

Ernie Els joined Adams this year and as he opened the world's first Adams Second Shot Centre, I asked him to nominate the best second shots of his career so far.

Ernie Interview

1997 US Open, Final Round. 2nd Shot to Par-4, 17th green at Congressional

Els was in a three way battle with Colin Montgomerie and Tom Lehman as they approached the 480 yard 17th hole with a Sunday pin cut close to the water in the back left of the green. Montgomerie missed the green to the right and failed to get up and down whereas Lehman pulled his approach shot into the water. Els hit his apporach to 15 feet and went on to win his second US Open Championship.

Whenever you win a tournament there is some second shot that you have to pull off under pressure. So I would say the '97 US Open comes to mind, second shot to the 17th. I had a 5 iron from 212 yards that I drew in and went to 15 feet. I two putted for par whilst Tom and Monty dropped shots, so that was key to my win.

2002 Open Championship, Final Round. 2nd Shot to Par-3, 13th Hole at Muirfield

Leading since a brilliant second round of 66, Els stood on the 13th tee with a 3 shot lead, but pulled his tee shot into one of the deepest of Muirfield's cavernous bunkers.

After putting my tee shot in the left bunker I played a great recovery that was named European Tour shot of the year. I went in there again in the practice round before the 2012 Open to have a look and I am sure they had brought the bunker lip down as I remember it being higher than that! Yes that was crazy - I think somebody else hit that shot, not me. It was nuts!

Watch The Video Of Ernie's Escape

2002 Open Championship, Final Round. 2nd Shot to Par-5, 17th Hole at Muirfield

As the Championship reached its finale Els found himself in a four way battle on Sunday afternoon with Thomas Levet, Stuart Appleby and Steve Elkington.

The 2nd shot at the 17th hole helped me make a birdie and get into the playoff. I hit a glorious a 4-iron into the middle of the green to set up a two putt birdie and that got me into a playoff, which I then won.

2012 Open Championship, Final Round. 2nd Shot to Par-4, 18th Hole at Royal Lytham & St Annes

Having started the final round six shots behind Adam Scott, Els played some great golf to put pressure on the Australian. He came to the 18th hole needing another birdie keep his chances of a second Open Championship alive.

I hit a beautiful second shot to 18, even thought it was only a wedge, it set me up for a birdie. It was a kind of a tricky flag, it was a short second shot, but I had to leave myself an opportunity for birdie. If I took it on too much and I pushed it, you know, it would have been in the bunker. But I gave myself an outside chance of a birdie, about 25 foot, a straight putt and it worked out.

To find out how you can create your own memorable 2nd shots, visit our Adams Golf Zone

Share:

Facebook Comments