Michael Sims hopes his record 12-under-par 59 at last week’s eGolf Tour Southern Open is a prelude to bigger and better things to come.The Bermudian pro fired himself into the golf history books with a stunning round at the Country Club of Salisbury in North Carolina that reverberated around the globe via social media networks.Fewer than 20 golfers have broken the magical 60 barrier since Tour tournaments began.Sims eventually finished runner up behind winner Drew Weaver who upstaged the former Bermuda Open champion with a clutch 30-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole in a playoff between the two men.Yet while Weaver’s dramatic putt poured cold water on Sims’ bid for glory, it failed to shatter the former University of Rhode Island student’s confidence that has soared since carding his Tour record 59.“It definitely gives me more confidence to know that I can shoot that low,” Sims told The Royal Gazette. “Over the progression of years I have been shooting some low numbers which is a good thing.”Sims now intends to make the most of his new found confidence in himself in the days ahead.“I’m building off the 59,” he said. “It definitely helps the confidence in that respect to know that what I have been doing has been the right thing.”Sims said the reality of his record round is still sinking in.“It was a surreal moment and a weird and unique thing,” he added. “It was just one of those days and talking to my mom and dad right after it happened ... there was a lull in our conversation for a minute because we were all kind of stunned.“I told them that I’m one of only ten people in the entire world to shoot a 59 in competition - that’s crazy! Achieving that just gives me more confidence and if I knew how to do that everyday I would be cool.”Sims admitted losing to Weaver was a bitter pill to swallow but took consolation in his solid all-round performance that earned him $14,111 in prize money.“Obviously I would’ve liked to have won, but I was very satisfied,” said Sims, who is currently eighth on the eGolf Tour’s money list with $43,924 in earnings.Sims appears to be reaping reward for the hard work he has put into refining his game lately.“I’ve been working on my swing and short game quite a bit during the off season and that’s been helping me out a bunch,” he said. “I’ve been hitting the ball a lot better and also pitching and chipping better.”Yesterday saw Sims card a two-under-par 70 that left him tied for 15th after the opening round of the River Landing Open at the River Landing Country Club in North Carolina.When asked to sum up yesterday’s steady round, that included five birdies and three bogeys, Sims smiled: “I’m a golfer, so I always want to shoot lower. Another 59 would be nice.”Americans Brian Duncan and Chesson Hadley currently lead the field by a single shot after carding identical seven-under-par 65s yesterday.