GRAEME STORM got 2016 off to a solid start by claiming a top 40 finish at the South Africa Open - despite a frustrating end to the week.

Storm, the Rockliffe Hall Tour pro, carded a final round 73, one over, to drop out of contention for a top ten place.

But the 37-year-old can be satisfied with four rounds of pretty solid golf to start the year in decent fashion.

His final round was an up and down affair, after following up an first hole birdie with four bogeys and two more birdies at eight and 15.

That was 12 shots adrift of eventual winner Brandon Stone. The South African finished behind compatriot Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Neither of Harrogate’s John Parry nor York’s Simon Dyson made the cut.