Victory in this week's Bermuda Open would be the perfect ending to an already unbelievable summer of success for golf sensation Michael Sims.

The 22-year-old Bermudian flew in on Sunday in order to fit in two or three practice rounds at Port Royal, where the 72-hole championship begins on Thursday.

And, after the first of those rounds yesterday, he admitted he was excited at the prospect of playing in Bermuda again.

"The Open is a tournament I've always wanted to win," said the Rhode Island University student. "It's our national title, and therefore I regard it as very special.

"But I'm excited, I have a couple of my (university) team-mates down here and a couple of other buddies are coming down, so I think it's going to be fun."

With a string of successes under his belt, the most recent being victory at the New England Open in Rockport, Maine, where he became the first amateur winner in the tournament's 28-year history, Sims admitted he was confident, but not to the extent he would be underestimating any of his rivals.

"I guess I'm in good shape, my confidence level is high. But really, I'm just excited to be home and happy to be back and playing in the Open.

"I'm not sure the fact that we're playing at Port Royal will be a big advantage for me. In fact, I haven't played it for one and a half years. I went round this morning and I'll try and play a couple more times.

"I haven't played in any tournaments since the New England. I've just been concentrating on school and helping my team. I was the assistant coach at the last event."

After the Bermuda Open, Sims' attention will turn to what many golfers believe is the toughest test of all, PGA Tour Qualifying School, where he will attempt to earn his pro card in a three-week tour that could involve as many as 14 rounds.

His first test comes at the Cypress Wood Golf Course in Houston, Texas from October 23-26, where he'll need to finish in the top 20 from a field of around 80. Another four-round stage follows at a venue still to be decided where a similar percentage will progress to the final stage - a six round marathon in which players get the chance to earn their card for either the PGA Tour or Buy.com Tour.

However, Sims, who reached the quarter-finals of the US Amateur after victories in both the North/South Championships and the Players Amateur, admitted his focus wouldn't turn to Q-School until after the Open.

"I haven't really thought about it too much yet," he said. "I've just been looking forward to coming home and playing here."

Sims' competition in the Open will come from a record overseas entry of 48 professionals, including defending champion Tim Conley and former winner Mike Donald. Another former winner, PH Horgan has entered but is not likely to play because of a shoulder injury.

Eleven local pros are also in the field along with some 20 amateurs.

Most of the field will warm up with a pro-Am at Mid Ocean Club tomorrow.