Storm back with a bang to beat Rory
THREE months ago he lost his European Tour card in the most gut-wrenching of circumstances. Now Englishman Graeme Storm is a winner again after beating Rory McIlroy in a play- off for the BMW South African Open.
Given it has been played since 1893 and is the second oldest trophy in golf, it is fair to say there are some unlikely names on this prestigious trophy, but when it comes to feelgood victors there are surely few to compare with Storm and his triumph over forbiddingly high odds.
‘I’m in shock, I really don’t know what to say, it’s just surreal to be standing here having beaten the best player in the world,’ said Storm.
‘ This is a dream come true, especially after what happened to me last year with my card and everything. I really took a lot from that experience and told myself to try to grasp the opportunity of getting my livelihood back with both hands and I have done that this week.
‘It’s an unbelievable feeling. I hung in there today and didn’t play my best stuff but I knew if I could hang in there that I might get my chance and thankfully it came.
‘It really means everything to me to be in the winner’s circle again.
‘I have been to hell and back to be honest with you. It’s been an absolute rollercoaster over the last year and a half — especially the end of last year.’
His bewildered state was entirely understandable, for just 84 days have passed since the personable 38- year- old from Hartlepool missed a short putt on the final green of the final event of the regular European Tour season. It meant he lost his card by the cruel margin of just 100 euros.
Thankfully, fate smiled on the 2007 winner of the French Open when American Patrick Reed failed to fulfil the membership criteria and Storm moved up one all-important place in the register.
He showed his gratitude before Christmas with a fourth-place finish in South Africa when the new season got under way, before taking it to unlikely heights yesterday.
It seemed enough that he was leading by three strokes going into the final round, and golfing logic certainly appeared to be asserting itself when McIlroy (below) went one in front with five to play.
But Storm kept playing his own game and got his reward when McIlroy made two mistakes that led to costly bogeys — first at the penultimate hole, where Storm drew level, and then at the third extra hole.
Still, it was a fine start to the season for the Northern Irishman, who was competing as a favour to tournament host, Ernie Els. He will have an MRI scan today on a tweaked back muscle and will hopefully be fit to compete in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week.
‘I’m disappointed not to win, obviously, but what a story for Graeme,’ he said. ‘I’m delighted for him.
‘The injury was manageable this week with tape and a few pills so I am fine but first and foremost I have to get fully fit and healthy again and hopefully I’ll be all right to play next week.’
Another victory for England’s magnificent corps of tour golfers, therefore — and how long before the immensely promising Jordan Smith joins them after a third-place finish for the 24-yearold from Bath in just his second tour start?