Michael Sims scratched his way back into contention for a place in the second stage of the PGA Tour Q-School yesterday with a crucial three-under par 68 in his penultimate round of stage one in the USA.

The Bermudian pro golfer - now tied for 28th at even par 213 - is two shots off 21st place which is where the cut will be made after today's final round to choose who advances to Q-School's second stage. Ryan Lavoie, at 11-under 202, leads the competition.

Taking his third crack at the chance to gain playing rights on the PGA and Nationwide Tours, Sims could well have been better placed at the TPC of Tampa Bay golf course.

On Tuesday, he opened with a one-under 70 to be tied for 19th. However, by Wednesday's half-way mark he had plummeted to a five-way tie for 36th place with a 75 in his second round that left him at three-over 145 overall.

Yesterday, though, gave him some hope heading into today's fourth and final round.

“It was really windy and I didn't make many putts. That's just the way it goes,” said Sims of what happened on Wednesday.

“Then today (yesterday) I played really well. I made a lot of birdies. I made a few mistakes but I was able to keep it under par and get it to even par for the week.

“That's all you can ask for - to have a chance at the end of the week. If I just go out there and play well tomorrow (today) and shoot a couple under (par) I should be all right. Another 68 would be very nice.”

Despite how much better things could have been the 24-year-old is philosophically calm about how he has performed so far and is not kicking himself about his second-round derailment.

“I'm learning within the last couple years that you have to put yesterday behind you the second after it's done.

“You know, it could have been a lot worse. I also have to look at it that way. At least I didn't take myself out of it. It could have been a 79, 80 or 81.”

As for the course in Lutz, Florida, Sims said that while he had never played there before he played some practice rounds a few weeks ago so he would not have to rush and “do all my homework” ahead of Q-School.

“I feel like I know the golf course pretty well. I still do make a couple mistakes as far as course management out here because I'm not used to when it goes to different wind directions but I've adjusted pretty good overall.”

His showing in this qualifier follows a successful bid in the South American Tour (Tour de las Americas) Q-School last week where he placed fourth and earned playing rights for that Tour which starts next month.

“I played well there and that really was kind of a carry-over from Mexico where I played well also,” said Sims, referring to the Nations Cup.

He and countryman Dwayne Pearman represented the Island in that 14-team qualifier for the World Cup. They needed to finish in the top two but only managed seventh place.

“That was great. I really look forward to doing that again, hopefully with Dwayne (Pearman). I really think we can make it through that qualifier. Had a few putts fallen for us it could have been a way different story.

“I definitely hit the ball well enough and - even though I don't think Dwayne was hitting the ball like he would have liked to - we were still doing what we needed to do to hang around in there.

“We complement each other pretty well and he is a good putter. I thought we had a really good chance and I'd like to have that opportunity again.”