AFTER successfully claiming two top-ten finishes and consecutive placings in the top 20, followed by equalling the course record at The Belfry, Graeme Storm feels that if he keeps knocking, the biggest door of his career will suddenly open.

Storm is well on his way to successfully claiming his European Tour card through his earnings for the second year in a row and, provided he can do it by June, he would love nothing more than to end the season with his first trophy success.

After a difficult period, where nothing seemed to go right as he struggled to make alterations to his swing, the Hartlepool golfer has responded emphatically.

It started when he finished in the upper echelons of the leaderboard at the Qatar Masters and the Malaysian Open, before staying in touch with the leading pack at the BMW Asian Open and the Spanish Open.

Last weekend Storm, forgetting three two over-par rounds either side of the second round, posted an incredible 64 at the British Masters to equal the course record at The Belfry.

Today, at the Nissan Irish Open at Carton House, the 27-year-old is looking to repeat his Friday heroics from start to finish to secure another handsome cheque which would go a long way to securing his Tour card for 2007.

"I did well in Ireland last season. I finished 18th at this event and then I finished second, the best finish of my career, at the K Club in the European Open," said Storm.

"I have good memories and I would love to have more happy memories after this weekend.

"At The Belfry I would say I played the round of my life on the Friday - it was surreal.

"Everything came together and when I walked off the 18th I didn't actually know how I had done.

"It was quite strange and then I was told I had equalled the record, it was a fantastic feeling.

"The most disappointing thing was not the fact that I carded three rounds of 74 but that I had lost my way on the back nine on the final day.

"Three mistakes cost me on Sunday, otherwise I would have finished in the top eight.

"But a 33rd finish at that event is like finishing in the top 15 of many others.

"And, after doing well in some of the other tournaments recently, I am hoping if I keep knocking on the door someone will open it for me."

Storm used last weekend's British Masters as the perfect example of how things can turn around quickly. Paul Casey was way ahead of the field going into the final day but posted a 76 which allowed Swede Johan Edfors to emerge victor.

Nevertheless, while the North-East man had to make do with making the cut, Storm is of the view that he is finding form at just the right time.

"I have earned around 138,000 euros and I think that around 190,000 euros will get me my card again next year," said Storm, who is planning on trying to qualify for this year's US Open next month.

"But I'm hoping, should I get there, I can take a step on from that.

"I would love to have around 400,000 euros by November and that would guarantee my place in the Volvo Masters again.

"That would represent a good season for me and a healthy living."

* Houghton-le-Spring's Ross Wilson has followed in the footsteps of Storm and Walker Cup player Rob Dinwiddie by winning the Durham County Boys' Championship.

Wilson, with rounds of 79 and 75, finished two shots ahead of Paul Robson (Whitburn), three ahead of Luke Calvert (The Wynyard) and four ahead of Scott Lambert (South Moor).

Others: Boys' Under-16 Championship - Joe Redshaw (Castle Eden) 73; Joe Fraser (Ravensworth) 75.

Boys' Under-16 Championship (net): Patrick South (Wearside) 64; Nick Howe (Hartlepool) 69.

Boys Under-14 Competition (net): Matthew Gillham (Durham City) 66, Joe Scott (Seaton Carew) 66.

Published: 18/05/2006