Storm ended a seven-year wait as a professional for a victory

England's Graeme Storm clinched his maiden European Tour title with a one-shot victory in the French Open.

The former Walker Cup star fired a closing 66 to overhaul a host of big names, including Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Bjorn, in Paris.

Storm, 29, ended on seven under, with overnight leader Soren Hansen of Denmark one shot adrift after a 72.

Montgomerie's putter let him down as he carded 71 for five under with Bjorn, Simon Khan and Damien McGrane.

Interview: Graeme Storm

"It's unbelievable, to be honest. It's an amazing feeling," said Hartlepool's Storm, the 1999 amateur champion.

I'm not being disrespectful to people who work in a factory but, from what I wanted to achieve, it was a bit of a comedown Graeme Storm

"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 played on the winning 1999 Walker Cup side alongside the likes of Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Simon Dyson, worked in a cream cake factory in the off season to finance his early years on Tour.

But the first place in Paris earned him �448,000 and a spot in the Open at Carnoustie later this month.

"Working in the factory for three months helped he see the other side," said Storm, who has made four trips to Qualifying School since turning pro in 2000.

"I'm not being disrespectful to people who work in a factory but, from what I wanted to achieve, it was a bit of a comedown."

Storm's previous best finish was tied second with Montgomerie at the 2005 European Open after leader Bjorn crashed to a closing 86.

I know now that if I putt well, I can win again Colin Montgomerie

Montgomerie, who has not won since December 2005, was prowling just off the lead for the first three days and looking to wipe out memories of a second-round 82 at the US Open.

The 44-year-old Scot grabbed the outright lead for the first time with back-to-back birdies going around the turn on Sunday but he dropped a shot at the 12th after pushing his drive right into heavy rough.

He drew level at seven under with new leader Storm, who had birdied the 13th and 14th, thanks to a fine chip for birdie at the par-five 14th.

But Montgomerie's challenge fade as he missed two shortish par putts on 15 and 16 as Storm parred his way home.

"I know now that if I putt well, I can win again," said Montgomerie, who rates Le Golf National as one of his favourite courses.

"I gave it a good shot and didn't hit a bad shot on the 15th or 16th, but bogeyed both.

"You have doubts, of course you do, but on the drive back home now I'll be thinking about all the positives."

Hansen recovered from a poor start to his final round with birdies at the 14th and 16th to get within one shot off the lead, but he missed a 30-foot putt at the last to force a play-off with Storm.

Two-time Ryder Cup star Bjorn has also been going through a rough patch but after three birdies in his first seven holes, he struggled to maintain the momentum and dropped a shot at the 17th following nine straight pars to card 69.

Ireland's McGrane fired a six-under 65 to rocket into contention, while England's Ian Poulter ended three under and Wales Bradley Dredge two under.