Bermuda's Michael Sims is well placed to extend his challenge for a prized place on the US PGA Tour after shooting a second-round 70 in Texas yesterday.

Sims is battling it out with 75 other hopefuls in the first phase of the Tour's Qualifying School at Cypresswood Country Club, Spring, and followed Tuesday's first-round 72 by going two strokes better yesterday.

To progress to the second phase of the tough, three-phase route to the Tour's potential riches, Sims must finish in the top 21 plus ties after tomorrow's fourth and final round at Cypresswood.

And at the halfway stage, his 36-hole total of 142 left him equal 23rd, just one shot adrift of the second phase cut.

Should Sims make it to phase two, he must fare well in another 72-hole strokeplay phase and if successful, would go into the final qualifying event at Bear Lakes Country Club in Palm Beach, Florida, where places on the PGA Tour and the Buy.com Tour will be up for grabs.