Storm holds off McIlroy to win title

Graeme Storm of England ended a 10-year European Tour title drought by defeating world No. 2 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland yesterday in a South African Open play-off.

Storm, whose only other triumph came in the 2007 French Open, won with a par four at the third extra hole after McIlroy bogeyed by missing a seven-foot putt.

Three strokes ahead going into the final round, Storm carded a final-round 71 while McIlroy, second overnight, fired a 68 at Glendower Golf Club in Johannesburg. They finished on 270, one stroke ahead of another Englishman, Jordan Smith, who closed with a 68.

The play-off was confined to the 18th and McIlroy twice survived wayward drives to salvage pars, and match Storm.

McIlroy was short and just off the green with his second at the third extra hole, then left with his par putt while Storm made the green in two and two putted.