General / Editor / 02 July 2007 / Leave a Comment

England's Graeme Storm is hoping his one-shot victory at the French Open, his maiden European Tour title, will lead to bigger and better things.

The 29-year-old fired a final round of 66 to usurp a number of big names, including Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Bjorn, to finish at seven-under, one shot clear of overnight leader Soren Hansen.

Monty, Bjorn, Simon Khan and Damien McGrane, who shot the best round of the day with a closing 65, all tied for third at -5.

29-year-old Storm, whose previous best finish was a tied second at the 2005 European Open, is hoping that his first title will now lead to further successes on the Tour.

"It's unbelievable, to be honest. It's an amazing feeling," he said.

"Over the last six or seven months I've been thinking that it might never happen. I've been putting too much pressure on myself but hopefully now I can go on to better things.

"I'm sure everybody at home is ecstatic. It's a big moment for us all."

Storm, who earned a place at the Open at Carnoustie as well as a cheque for £448,000 with his victory in Paris, now heads to the Smurfit European Open at the K Club next weekend full of confidence.

The man from Hartlepool has been matched at 85 to small stakes to make it a quick-fire double in Dublin, while he is on offer at 6 in a developing 'Top 5 Finish' market.

Home favourite Padraig Harrington, playing his first event since Oakmont, heads the outright winner's market at 10.5, ahead of Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey at 14, US Open champion Angel Cabrera at 15 and BMW International Open winner Niclas Fasth at 18.5.