Bermuda Open champion Michael Sims steps out next week for what he will consider as the most important tournament of his young career.

At stake in the 72-hole PGA Tour Qualifying School second stage event at the Hombre Golf Club in Panama City, Florida will be a place in the the third and final stage ? and with it, at worst, a spot on the Nationwide Tour and, at very best, a ticket to the lucrative PGA Tour.

Sims cruised to a record victory in last month?s Open, finishing five shots head of runner-up Dwayne Pearman, and followed that up with a sensational finish to last week?s first stage Q-School tournament at the Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring, Texas, where he carded a blistering six-under 66 to add to rounds of 72, 71 and 70, and comfortably make the top-20 cut.

But he?s well aware the acid test is still to come as the second stage of Q-School traditionally involves a number of former big-name players who have lost their Tour status as well as the best of the world?s up and coming players.

As of yesterday, the 26-year-old Bermudian admitted he had no idea which players would be teeing it up at Hombre or at the other five second-stage events being played around the US. And, he confessed, he didn?t really care.

?All I can worry about is my own game,? he said. ?I?m playing well at the moment and I just want to keep it going.

?Mentally, I feel in good shape, and that?s important.

?I?ve played Hombre before and I know it?s going to be tough. It?s a tight course, and I can?t imagine the scores are going to be too low. I?ve just got to continue to do what I?ve been doing well.?

Sims has reached the second stage of Q-School previously but never the final stage where players compete over a gruelling five rounds, chasing a spot on the PGA Tour. All those who reach that final stage receive some kind of status on the second tier Nationwide Tour.

For Sims, who has made a living on the South American Tour and in mini-Tour events around the USA, such a step up would be a massive boost to his career.

And with the back injury that hindered his progress earlier this year now seemingly healed, he says he?s both physically and mentally prepared for the challenge.

?If I play how I know I can play, then I think I?ll be OK,? he said.

Having gone into the final round of last week?s first stage tournament at Cypresswood outside of the top 20 and in danger of being eliminated, Sims said he was always confident he could come good on the final day.

?To be honest, I didn?t really know where I stood,? he said. ?I?m not a leaderboard watcher. I knew I was there or thereabouts and if played well I could make it.

?On the last day, it was just a little bit of everything. My driving was good, my approach shots and my putting were good. There was no one part of my game in particular that stood out. It just all came together.?

The second stage event begins next Wednesday, continuing over 72 holes until Saturday, November 12.