Storm began his quest in the European Open, in Kent today, looking to find some consistency ahead of the Royal Birkdale major in two weeks time.

The 30-year-old has struggled to put together four consistent rounds to challenge the top of the leaderboard in his recent tournaments after admitting he is not playing his best golf.

Storm's last event was the French Open, in Paris – the course where he claimed his maiden tour victory last year.

The Hartlepool Golf Club star was just three shots off the lead after the first round, but failed to follow that up and eventually finished in 21st place.

Storm will have been hoping for better at the London Golf Club this morning, as he puts the finishing touches to his preparation for the Open.

He is up against it though with the likes of Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Colin Montgomerie and last year's Open winner Padraig Harrington among the field in London.

Montgomerie is the defending champion, but good though last week's runners-up finish in France was for his confidence, retaining his title would be on a totally different level.

As well as Harrington and Garcia, world number nine Rose is playing and eager to secure a Ryder Cup debut for himself after the disappointment of missing the halfway cut at the US Open.

"Basically I've got five weeks in England, which will be great," said Rose.

"For me, the US Open is history now. I've got to put it behind me and get ready for the next big challenge."

Birkdale, of course, is where 10 years ago Rose finished an amazing fourth, only two strokes away from the play-off, as a 17-year-old amateur.

Montgomerie, back up to 77th in the world, also made a move to 14th on the Ryder Cup table and retaining the title could see him sixth on Sunday night.

"I know that it's a different golf course, but I have played The London Club a few times and I have gained some confidence, so I look forward to it now," he said.

Meanwhile, Storm's fellow Hartlepool golfer Simon Robinson was teeing off this morning in the AGF-Allianz EurOpen de Lyon, on the Challenge Tour.

Robinson will be looking to get back on track in France after missing the cut at the Scottish Challenge last week.