After a nightmare finale to his 2016 season, Graeme Storm has begun 2017 in triumphant manner beating Rory McIlroy over a three hole play-off to capture the BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni.

It was 84 days ago Storm bogeyed the last hole in Portugal and lose by Euro 100 his European Tour card.

But the Englishman, and thanks to Patrick Reed not completing the mandatory number of events, was reinstated and grasped his chances this week with both hands to win for only the second time in his career after capturing the 2007 French Open.

Storm hit his approach to the heart of the 18th and made his par three times in the play-off, with McIlroy missing the green at the third attempt and leaving himself an eight-foot putt for par that missed on the low side.

The 38 year old had entered the final day with a three-shot lead and got to 18 under with a closing 71 but McIlroy reeled him in with a 68 to set up the dramatic finale.

Englishman Jordan L Smith finished a shot out of the play-off after a 68, with Dean Burmester at 15 under, a shot clear of fellow South Africans Thomas Aiken and Trevor Fisher Jnr.

The win is Storm’s second on the European Tour and first since the Open de France ALSTOM, nine years and 198 days, and 274 events ago.

“I am speechless. It’s been incredible and I can’t quite believe it,” he said.

“This is a dream come true, especially after what happened to me last year with my card and everything. I really took a lot from that experience and told myself to try and grasp the opportunity of getting my livelihood back with both hands and I have done that this week.

This is a dream come true, especially after what happened to me last year with my card and everything – Graeme Storm

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I hung in there today and didn’t play my best stuff but I knew if I could hang in there that I might get my chance and thankfully it came.

“It really means everything to me to be in the winner’s circle again.

“I have been to hell and back to be honest with you. It’s been an absolute rollercoaster over the last year and a half – especially the end of last year.

“There was pressure today but not the same pressure as trying to keep your European Tour card. That’s real pressure and something I don’t want to feel for a long time.”

McIlroy was playing the event for the first time since 2009 after being drawn to Gauteng by tournament host and great friend Ernie Els, and the huge crowds that flocked to see him and the rest of the field on Sunday were treated to a wonderful spectacle.

McIlroy put his approach to five feet on the first and rolled his eagle putt to tap-in range on the par five second but Storm’s tee-shot on the par three third was to 12 feet and he was two ahead.

McIlroy used his immense power to claim a simple birdie on the par five 13th and when Storm produced a nervy three putts from the fringe on the 14th for a first bogey in 55 holes, the 27 year old had the lead.

Storm and McIlroy both made birdies on the par five 15th but when McIlroy found a horrible lie in a greenside bunker on the 17th, he made a bogey after failing to get out, sending the two into the play-off.

Regulation pars were the order of the day on the first trip up the 18th while McIlroy had to produce a brilliant low hook from the trees after a poor tee-shot to make his par the second time around.

It’s not a bad way to start the season and gives me something to build on in the weeks ahead – Rory McIlroy

“Obviously it’s disappointing to finish like that but Graeme has played well all week and what a story it is for him,” said McIlroy. “He thought he had lost his card at the end of last year and there he is now standing with a trophy in his hands after the first event of 2017. I’m delighted for him.

“I wish I could have done a little more but it’s not a bad way to start the season and gives me something to build on in the weeks ahead.”