AN EMOTIONAL Graeme Storm has described beating world number two Rory McIlroy in a thrilling finale to end a near ten-year wait for a second European Tour title as ‘a dream come true’.

Storm held his nerve in dramatic circumstances to beat the exceptionally talented McIlroy to glory in the third play-off hole to win the BMW South Africa Open in front of a gallery of thousands on Sunday afternoon.

Hartlepool’s finest golfer has played in a staggering 274 events since winning his maiden Tour crown at the French Open in the summer of 2007 and arrived only a few months after fearing his time playing on the main circuit was coming to an end.

The Rockliffe Hall attached Tour pro missed a par putt on the 18th green at the Portugal Masters in October that meant he was to lose his playing privileges by just 100 euros, only to learn days later he had been handed a reprieve because American Patrick Reed had opted not to play the final events required for him to retain his card.

And Storm, after walking away from the Glendwower Golf Club with a cheque for around €164,000 and safe in the knowledge he has sealed his place on Tour until the end of 2018, has taken full advantage of his chance – and even McIlroy has given him the thumbs up.

"Obviously it's disappointing to finish like that in a play-off but Graeme has played well all week and what a story it is for him," said McIlroy. "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.”

Storm went into the final round holding a three-shot overnight lead and McIlroy successfully closed that down by posting a final round 68, three shots better than Storm’s level par 71.

There was also fellow Englishman Jordan Smith to contend with, but he fell away at the last hole, where Storm and McIlroy held their nerve to force the tournament to the play-off by holding four-foot putts after the Northern Irishman’s bogey at 17.

The pair, who had smiles and played in good spirits together throughout the final day, traded pars on the 18th over the first two play-off holes, but McIlroy blocked his tee shot into the right on the third. His second shot came up short of a greenside bunker and he pitched to ten feet away.

Storm shaved the hole with a long range birdie putt before tapping in and McIlroy, knowing he had to hole to force a fourth extra hole, lipped out and that left Storm with tears in his eyes as he took off his cap to celebrate glory in front of the grandstands and crowds.

“I am in total shock,” admitted Storm. “I don’t know what to say, I really don’t. It has been a surreal week for me here, to find myself in the position I was in, playing with probably the best player in the world. It was a dream come true.

“I think I have to thank Patrick Reed for it, I got my playing rights due to the fact Patrick couldn’t make up his numbers! I went down to Leopard Creek, I finished fourth there and now this. I am in shock. To win this tournament, with all the prestige is incredible.

“It has been incredible, it really has. With the sight of the crowd, the whole experience, my name got called out a few times, because Rory is obviously the main guy and got the support, but I am just so pleased to get the win.”

McIlroy had not played in the event since 2009 but was drawn by tournament host Ernie Els and the huge crowds flocked to see the action unfold, which was something new for Storm – particularly in the final group of the final day.

Four-time major winner McIlroy looked like he would wrestle the title away from Storm after eradicating the three-shot lead he had at the start of the day, particularly after the latter’s nervy three putts on the 14th for a first bogey in 55 holes.

But when McIlroy found a horrible lie in a greenside bunker on the 17th, he made a bogey and that opened the door for Storm to then go on and force the play-off.

And after the drama of the play-off, it was Storm who emerged victorious and the 38-year-old can now look forward to playing the rest of the 2017 schedule without any worries about retaining his card for next season.