Graeme Storm savours unlikely BMW SA Open win after being handed Tour reprieve
Monday 16 January 2017 10:36, UK
Graeme Storm admitted he was "in shock" after pulling off a sensational play-off victory over Rory McIlroy at the BMW SA Open just 84 days after he thought he had lost his card.
Storm's career was laced with uncertainty after he missed out on retaining his European Tour card by just 100 euros following the final regular event of the 2016 season in Portugal, where a tie for 22nd left him in 112th place on the Race to Dubai.
But the 38-year-old was soon handed an incredible reprieve when Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed announced that he would not be able to fulfil the required number of events to retain his membership.
Reed's withdrawal promoted Storm into the top 111 players that automatically earned the right to play this season, sparing the Englishman an arduous trip to the final stage of Qualifying School in Spain.
Storm celebrated his lifeline with an encouraging tie for fourth in the season-opening Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek last month, although he then missed the cut in Hong Kong the following week.
But he played near-flawless golf on his return to South Africa at Glendower, dropping only one shot over his final three rounds and holding off McIlroy to win with a cast-iron par on the third extra hole.
Storm's solid closing 71 was enough to finish level with the world No 2 on 18 under, and he was soon celebrating the second European Tour victory of his career, and his first since the Open de France in 2007, when McIlroy's 10-foot putt to extend the play-off lipped out.
"I am speechless. It’s been incredible and I can’t quite believe it," said Storm, who was playing alongside McIlroy for the first time in his career. "I was saying to Rory in the walk up the fairway in the last play-off hole that this was actually the first time we had played together and to play 21 holes with him was just incredible.
"What a superb guy he is. An absolute gentleman and I think the best player in the world right now. And I have to say a few words on Jordan Smith. What a player he is going to be. He was brilliant today.
"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 and grasp the opportunity if getting my livelihood back with both hands and I have done that this week.
"I also have to thank Patrick Reed. I got my playing card back because he did not play enough events and I have embraced the second chance with both hands."
Storm made only two birdies against one bogey in the final round as his overnight three-shot lead turned into a one-shot deficit with four to play, but McIlroy needed two attempts to escape a greenside bunker at the 17th before both made clutch par putts on the final green.
"It’s an unbelievable feeling. I didn’t play my best stuff but I knew if I could hang in there that I might get my change and thankfully it came," Storm added.
"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 roller coaster over the last year and a half – especially the end of last year.
"There was pressure today but not the same pressure as trying to keep your European Tour card. That’s real pressure and something I don’t want to feel again for a long time."
Live European Tour Golf
