Golfer Michael Sims is set for his biggest challenge yet - the US Amateur Championships.

The 22-year-old Rhode Island University senior survived a tough qualifying event this week to earn just one of three spots on offer in New England for the prestigious national tournament, former winners of which include the likes of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.

In a field of 94 at the Crestwood Country Club in Providence, Rhode Island, Sims carded identical even-par rounds of 70 over the 36-hole qualifying event to take second place. He had gone into the second round lying in seventh position.

Victory went to a player from the Wannamoissett Club in Providence where Sims also plays and is coached by Steve Napoli.

His latest success comes on the heels of astonishing victories, first in the prestigious North/South Amateur Championships at Pinehurst and later at the Players' Amateur at Belfair where one of his rounds was a sizzling 63.

Earlier this month, on a whirlwind return trip to Bermuda, he also smashed the Mid Ocean Club course record with a stunning 62.

Entry to the US Amateur, arguably the most sought after title in amateur golf, will pit Sims against a field of 312 at the East Lakes Country Club in Georgia _ the same course on which the legendary Bobby Jones grew up.

The championship, to be televised by ESPN, is slated for August 20-26, with a two-round cut from which the top 64 players enter match play.

Yesterday Sims was competing at another major tournament, the Porter Cup at the Niagara Falls Country Club where he arrived on Wednesday by private jet, courtesy of an admiring fan from the Wannamoissett club.

The Bermudian opened with a three-over par 73 but bounced back yesterday to card a 69 and move into a tie for 21st on a crowded leaderboard where just four shots separated the leading 25 players. Sims was on two-over par 142 with four players sharing the lead on two-under 138.

The third round is scheduled for today and the final round tomorrow after which Sims will head to Michigan for the Western Amateur next week.

Meanwhile, the player's father, Bruce, indicated yesterday that his son might consider turning professional sooner than intended if he was selected for Bermuda's World Cup team.

"It's something we'd have to seriously consider,'' said Sims sr.

The selection is made by Bermuda Professional Golfers' Association, and traditionally sees two of the Island's club pros named for the team. However, the BPGA are expected to discuss Sims as a special case at their annual general meeting next week.