It was described on Sunday as the perfect storm. And one fortunate Englishman would certainly have agreed. In October, Graeme Storm missed a par putt on the 18th green at the Portugal Masters to lose his playing privileges by just 100 euros.
The 2007 French Open winner was facing a fourth trip to the Qualifying School or a return to the Challenge Tour. Then Patrick Reed opted not to play the Final Series and 38-year-old Storm moved up a place on the order of merit and retained his card for the 2016-2017 season.
Just 84 days after that initial setback he made the most of his second chance and won a second career European Tour title, the BMW SA Open, defeating Rory McIlroy on the third play-off hole.
"This is a dream come true, especially after what happened to me last year with my card and everything,” he said. “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 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. 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 for a long time."
McIlroy was playing the event for the first time since 2009 after being drawn to Gauteng by tournament host and good friend Ernie Els.
