GRAEME STORM can start to plan for another 12 months on the European Tour after narrowly missing out on his first title in eight years – but wants to finish this year in style first.

Storm, who has struggled all season to find the form to take him in the Tour’s coveted top 110 in the Race to Dubai, claimed a cheque of €220,000 to leapfrog from 127th to 66th in the rankings after a dramatic end to the Porsche European Open.

The 37-year-old finished second, a shot behind Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, at the Bad Griesbach Golf Club in Germany and the relief was clear after walking off the 18th green with a four under 67 for the day.

It was tinged with a feeling of slight frustration because he had gone so close to winning on Tour for only the second time after being unable to follow up his French Open success in 2007 with another triumph.

Rockliffe Hall Tour pro Storm said: “I’m disappointed that I didn’t win. I missed a short putt at 16 which would have put me one clear going in t the last couple of holes, but it is also a relief to know that I have got my card again for next year.

“I am just a bit annoyed that I didn’t win it though because it was there for me. If I hadn’t missed that putt at 16 then I would not have gone for the flag at 17 and I wouldn’t have ended up with a bogey.”

Storm’s tee shot at 17 landed short of the green and was fortunate not to roll down into the water. His chip came up short and he then two putted to drop a shot, to spoil an otherwise flawless card.

Seven-time Tour winner Jaidee also missed the green when he got to 17 but he saved par and then holed his eight-foot par putt at the last to clinch the title. Storm did nail a 15 footer at the last to secure second spot on his own on 16 under; one shy of the winner.

Despite missing out on the silverware, he turned to hug his caddie Rodney Wooler and the satisfaction was on both of their faces.

Hartlepool’s Storm said: “Mucker (Wooler) has been with me all year and he was with me in Switzerland last year when I finished second. This was the same. It was such a relief for us both.

“I was telling him that we both had a job for next year! It has been a long slog.”

Storm, who is up at St Andrews for the Dunhill Links this week, is now looking to push on in the remaining weeks in the hope of climbing in to the top 60 to earn a place at the DP World Championship in Dubai.

Harrogate’s John Parry also finished strongly in Germany. He was ninth after closing with a 67 to finish on 11 under to claim €40,000.

Close House Tour pro Chris Paisley and Ashington’s Kenneth Ferrie made the cut and finished 51st and 60th respectively.