GRAEME STORM has given his chances of appearing in the DP World Tour Championship a massive boost by claiming a top 15 finish at the Wales Open.

Storm, yet to break in to the top 60 in the Race to Dubai, followed up a brilliant 65 on Saturday with a second 69 from his four days at Celtic Manor on Sunday to finished tied 12th.

That boosted his seasonal earnings to the tune of almost £28,000 to lift him back up to 65th in the Tour rankings and he will now enjoy a break during Ryder Cup week before returning to action at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on October 2.

Storm threatened to close in on eventual winner Joost Luiten in Wales when he made a quick birdie at the third and, despite a bogey at the next, he then made back-to-back birdies at seven and eight.

But then he started the turn in frustration by dropping shots at ten and 12, but he did stay high on the leaderboard because of his birdies at 11 and 16.

But Storm had to settle for finishing four shots shy of Dutchman Luiten, who had been in or around top spot in South Wales from start to finish.

The Hartlepool golfers still needs to close a gap of around £30,000 to climb in to the top 60 with events running out.