Graeme Storms into Race to Dubai top five after stunning BMW SA Open win

Just under three months ago the 38 year old thought that he had lost his European Tour card following a tied 22^nd place finish in the Portugal Masters, but he was thrown a lifeline when Patrick Reed dropped out of the Race to Dubai having not played enough events. 

After retaining his playing privileges by the skin of his teeth – finishing the season in 111^th place in the Race to Dubai – Storm completed a dramatic turnaround in fortunes by securing his second European Tour title in South Africa almost ten years after his first win at the 2007 Open de France ALSTOM. The victory gained Storm 164,409 points and moved him to fourth place in the Race to Dubai with a season total of 204,709 as he hunts down a spot in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, at Jumeirah Golf Estates for the first time since 2015. 

“I am speechless. It’s been incredible and I can’t quite believe it,” he said.

“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 of getting my livelihood back with both hands and I have done that this week.”

Storm took a three stroke lead into the final round but was reeled in by rampant playing partner McIlroy who tore up the Glendower Golf Club’s front nine in 33 blows for the second consecutive day before signing for four under 68 to match Storm, who closed with 71, on 18 under par for the tournament. 

It took three return trips down the 18^th to separate the pair in the play-off with Storm eventually prevailing with a third successive par after McIlroy, playing in his first event of the 2017 European Tour season, missed the green with his approach and made bogey. 

“Obviously it’s disappointing to finish like that but Graeme has played well all week and what a story it is for him,” said McIlroy who moved to eighth place in the Race to Dubai. “He thought he had lost his card at the end of last year and there he is now standing with a trophy in his hands after the first event of 2017. I’m delighted for him.”

Jordan L Smith, winner of the 2016 Road to Oman Rankings on the European Challenge Tour, continued his solid start to life on the European Tour with a third place finish to move to 11^th place in the Race to Dubai. 

Smith will join McIlroy and Storm, along with early Race to Dubai leader, Sam Brazel, in this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. 

The 2017 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 November. 

Top 10 Race to Dubai Rankings after the BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni

POSITION      NAME                         COUNTRY                  POINTS