Having recently secured playing rights on the South American Tour, Michael Sims goes after even more prized privileges next week in the second stage of the annual PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (Q-School).

He will be among about 80 golfers competing for a place in the final round of the tough event at Deerwood Golf Club in Kingwood, Texas, USA. At stake are playing rights on the prestigious PGA Tour and the lesser affiliated Buy.Com Tour.

While his path to 21st position in last week's South American Tour qualifier was not the most impressive (72, 78, 72 and 75 for nine-over 297), the Bermudian was not at all bothered.

Offering a reasonable explanation for his indifferent showing in that tournament - in which the top 25 received their cards for the Tour De Las Americas - he said: "I really just wanted to play in something before my second stage. Otherwise, it would have been almost a month between my first and second stages.

"It's nice to have it (South American Tour card) because it will allow me to play in some more tournaments but this is what I really want and I was using that to try out a few things before I went back to Q-School.

"I wanted to experiment with some shots that I have been practising and to try some different clubs as well.

"The competition was not as high so I knew I could go out there and try different things and see if I felt comfortable doing them."

The rookie pro golfer said he was "feeling good" and was "swinging really well right now". Now, it's simply a matter of all the elements coming together on the course.

"I'm doing everything fairly well. I've just got to go out there and play and put the scores together.

"I feel good but you never know until you step up there and get it done. I'm just hoping to go out there, relax and play some good golf."

Having never played at Deerwood before, the 23-year-old left for Texas yesterday to get in some practice ahead of Tuesday's start.

Despite an encouraging tie for eighth in his first round of Q-School last month (73, 69, 68 and 73 for five-under 283) at Cypresswood Country Club, also in Texas, Sims is painfully aware that it was at this hurdle that he was eliminated last year.

"Last year, the golf course didn't suit my game at all. I chose to play at Panama City in Florida which was not a golf course that really suited me very well at all.

"I've heard good things about Deerwood so I am excited and looking forward to giving it my best shot."

Still, he is wary of setting any pre-tournament targets before scrutinising the par-72 lay-out on which his fate will be determined.

He must finish in the low 20 scores or ties to advance to Q-School's final stage.

"I don't know what this golf course is like and I'm not sure what to expect. It's been raining and it's been pretty chilly in Texas.

"With all the rain we've been getting, I'm curious how this course is going to play."

One thing, he has already decided however is that he will be incommunicado during next week's four rounds.

"I'm just a little superstitious. I turned my cell phone off in the first stage and it worked so I'm going to do it again," he said chuckling.

"If I do anything spectacular I'll call you," he pledged.