Battling Storm restores pride.

Graeme Storm restored his pride and confidence with a closing one-under-par 71 following his 80 on Saturday.

Long before the leaders teed off, Storm was on his way home to Hartlepool for a quick break ( and to prepare for the Deutschebank Open which starts on Thursday.

First out yesterday with American Duffy Waldorf, Storm picked up around pounds 10,000 for finishing on 296, eight over par for the championship.

At least he did not finish last among the qualifiers for the last two rounds, moving up from the bottom spot he had occupied overnight.

Now he wants to get right back in the groove ( and making the top 10 in Germany could clinch his spot in the Great Britain and Ireland side for the Seve Trophy at The Wynyard Club in September. Finishing runner-up ( as he did at the K Club in the European Open ( certainly would cement his spot.

"Making the team is the target," he said. "But I'm hoping for the wildcard pick if I don't win enough to get into the side. I was hoping to put myself in the shop window this week, but I guess I'll just have to try and do the business at the Deutschebank."

Having made the cut on Friday at one over par, Storm crashed to that 80 on Saturday and it was the notorious Road Hole that claimed him as another victim. He took a quadruple bogey eight after driving out of bounds and finding the bunker. However, the damage had been done before that hole with a hugely frustrating day on the greens. "I have to admit the head came off," said Storm, "and that's something I'll have to work on. I can't allow that to happen.

"There are a lot of positives I can take out of the week. I am hitting the ball great and I am playing better under pressure ( as I did at the K Club and on Friday here.

"I didn't handle things well on Saturday, but I have holed nothing all week. It is very frustrating when you know your game is good and you seem to be rolling the putts okay and they just won't go in."

They didn't go in again yesterday ( and Storm had realistic birdies chances on seven holes which he didn't convert.