GRAEME STORM powered his way into next month’s Open Championship by breaking the New Course record at Sunningdale before claiming: “I could quite easily have broke 60.”

Three years after walking off the same course because he was playing so badly, Storm claimed sweet revenge yesterday morning when he posted an excellent 62 in the first round of the 36-hole qualifying event.

And now the 31-year-old is planning for only his fifth Open since making his debut in 1999 and he knows exactly why he has forced his way into the Turnberry showpiece.

And while his second round two under 68 in the afternoon was certainly nothing to be ashamed of, it was his scintillating eight under par morning round that handed him the dream start.

After birdies at three, four, nine, 12, 13 and 15, Storm finished the 18th with a successful 18-foot eagle putt to break Justin Rose’s New Course record of 65 by three.

“It was unbelievable,” said Storm, who missed the cut last weekend at Celtic Manor.

“I started quite steadily but from the moment I birdied the third everything just fell into place. I had opportunities and the way I played in that round I could have shot 61, 60 or even lower.

“It’s just fantastic for me to know that I’m going back to The Open.

“It’s annoying that I had to schedule in qualifying when ideally I would have got my place through the rankings.

“But I had to go and give it a go. I knew what I had to do and I have done it. Now I can look forward to another Open and that’s what you want to do as a golfer.”

Storm will not be joined at Turnberry by Barnard Castle’s Robert Dinwiddie, who fell out of the ten qualifying places at Sunningdale.

Dinwiddie – who first tried to qualify ten years ago aged 16 – was on course for a first Open appearance after posting 64 on the old course in the morning, only to drop down to 20th with an afternoon 71.

But there was no heartache for Storm, who is now looking to maintain the sort of form that earned him the New Course record yesterday.

Having split with his caddie recently, he is due to spend the next four weeks with Paul McGinley’s former bag-man, Darren Reynolds, with the Hartlepool professional hoping for a change of fortunes.

“I have had a few problems this season and I have finished with my caddie (Dominic Bott), so that has taken its toll a little,” said Storm.

“We split after the European Open and it was amicable but we just weren’t getting on, on the course, so it was time for a change.

“I have Darren for the next four weeks, which will take in the Open, so we will see how we go from there. Hopefully it will work out because I want to see my form improve now.

“It’s really been a bit stop start so far this season.” Storm was in ninth place with a round to play at Birkdale last year before falling away to 39th with a 78. He was among 96 players yesterday competing for ten spots at Turnberry.

Storm was caught by Argentine Rafa Echenique yesterday, when he followed up an opening round 66 with a 64 to end tied with Storm on ten under.

■ The Durham team selected to compete in the Northern Counties Championship at Seascale Golf Club tomorrow is:

Callum Tarren (Dinsdale Spa), Michael Curry (Brancepeth Castle), Graeme Marchbank (Durham City), Chris Hewitt (Beamish Park), Steven Dance (Ramside), Bryan Ross (Heworth). Reserve: Gareth Cooper (Brancepeth Castle).