Michael Sims enjoyed a promising start to the Encinos Open, ending Wednesday's first round in joint 22nd players in a field of 138 golfers.

The Bermudian pro carded one-under 71 at Los Encinos Golf Club in Toluca, Mexico, to be in a ten-way tie and in good position to make a run up the leaderboard.

It was Sims' best start in three outings on the South American Tour and should have boosted his confidence after he failed to make the cut in last week's Guatemala Open.

Up to press time last night, the 24-year-old's second-round score could not be ascertained.

Sweden's Bjorn Pettersson and Paraguay's Pedro Martinez shared the lead after one round at Los Encinos, both shooting five-under 67. Four others were on their heels, one shot back, while another three competitors carded three-under.

No doubt Sims will be hoping for a more positive outcome in this tournament following a disappointing beginning to his season on the South American circuit. He placed 28th in the Caribbean Open in the Bahamas with four-over 292 before being on the unfavourable side of the cut in Guatemala.