FOR the second year in a row, when the heat was on and the threat to his European Tour privileges was high, Graeme Storm delivered.

It might not be the ideal way to do things, but nevertheless in dramatic circumstances he achieved the result he needed to secure a further year on Tour.

He would like to have won his second mainstream title since turning pro in the years that have elapsed since his heroics at the French Open in 2007. And maybe the experiences of the last two years will help him fuflil that particularly goal he still holds.

For now Storm can take great satisfaction and heart from the fact that, by turning it on when he was getting desperate in the closing months of the year once more, he has shown he has the mental strength to go with the talent to stay among Europe’s elite golfers.

The relief, although tinged slightly by disappointment after letting a lead slip on the penultimate hole, was clear at the Porsche European Open where he finished runner-up to Thailand’s experienced seven-time Tour winner Thongchai Jaidee.

It was not too dissimilar to losing in a play-off to American David Lipsky last year at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland. On both occasions the winner’s cheque might have eluded him, but securing his playing rights were what mattered most.

“It was exactly the same really,” said Storm. “Hopefully I can push on a bit and get in to the Race to Dubai top 60 now. That would be a great finish to the year.

“I have been playing well for ages. I had good feelings all week in Germany. I just felt I had to hole a few putts and that’s what happened, every thing started to click together.

“I held it together all week. I bogeyed the 18th on the Saturday, but I got over that and I played as well as I have for some time on the Sunday. I just missed that putt at 16 and then I bogeyed the 17th.

“But I have to be happy for now because I have got a job for next year. Now that I know that, it’s about kicking on really and somewhere along the line hopefully a second win will come along with it.”

Storm finished with a four-under 67 at the Resort Bad Griesbach and nailing a 15ft putt at the 18th to save par should have ensured his confidence remains high in Scotland this week.

The 37-year-old will tee off at the Alfred Dunhill Links this morning with playing partner Gaynor Rupert – the wife of South African billionaire Johann. They will be a in a fourball with Paul McGinley and Leigh Ord.

Another strong finish from Storm could propel him in to the coveted European Tour top 60.

Even though he is only six places short of that – after his massive leap from 127 – he is still chasing down a near €50,000 gap to Scott Hend.

After this week, Storm has the British Masters at Woburn, Portugal Masters and the UBS Hong Kong Open before the end of year showpiece events carrying huge prize pots.

Storm said: “I need to get in to the Turkish Airlines Open and then the BMW Masters in China; from there I can get in to Race to Dubai if I finish well. It’s amazing how quickly things can turn around.

“Turkey and China have fields of 78 at the minute so I should be OK for those now, but it would be great to get in to the top 60 and get to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.”

The Hartlepool and Rockliffe Hall Tour pro said: “There have been some good turning points. My mental state has been superb in the last few months. I have only missed two cuts since Munich in June and I have turned the corner.

“My coach Pete Cowen has played his part in that, it’s been really important and I just feel I am in good place right now. I coped with the pressure, with the nerves last week and now I just want to build on that.”