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Graeme Storms to victory

01/07/2007

Englishman Graeme Storm came from five shots behind overnight to snatch victory in the French Open.

The 29-year-old clinched his first European Tour title after carding a final round of 66 to finish one stroke clear of Denmark's Soren Hansen.

Storm, who has who 33 top-ten finishes, finished seven-under for the tournament in Versailles to end a seven-year wait for a Tour victory.

Colin Montgomerie finished joint third on five under along with England's Simon Khan, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and Ireland's Damien McGrane.

Montgomerie led with seven holes to go but blew his hopes of a victory for the first time since December 2005 with bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes.

Storm said he was thrilled to seal his first Tour victory having turned professional after the Masters at Augusta in 2000.

It's unbelievable, to be honest. It's an amazing feeling," Storm said.

"I'm sure everybody at home is probably ecstatic. It's a big moment for us all."

Storm, who worked in a cake factory to fund his career on the Tour, pockets a winner's cheque for £448,000 and a place at the Open at Carnoustie on July 19th.

He will be remembered for sinking Britain and Ireland's winning putt in the 1999 Walker Cup match against America.

Veteran Bjorn had threatened victory after three birdies in his first seven holes. But the 36-year-old faded away after nine straight pars followed by a bogey on the 17th.

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