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 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 1903 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 feel-good 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 the Brit.
‘This is a dream come true, especially after what happened to me last year with my card. I really took a lot from that experience and told myself to try and 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 that I might get my chance and, thankfully, it came. ‘It means everything to me to be in the winner’s circle.
‘I have been to hell and back. It’s been a 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 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 100 Euros.
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 place in the register.
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 a reward when McIlroy made two mistakes that led to costly bogeys — first at the penultimate hole 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. McIlroy will have an MRI scan today on a tweaked back muscle and should be fit to compete in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week.
‘I’m disappointed not to win but what a story for Graeme,’ he said. ‘The injury was fine this week but I have to
get fully fit.’