This could just be Michael Sims? year to make it big at the PGA Tour Qualifying School.

The signs are great ? he has been scoring consistently well this year and a lot more things are going right than wrong in his game.

For the third time in four attempts, the Bermudian pro advanced past the first stage of the annual PGA Tour qualifier last week with a joint-tenth performance of eight-under 276 at Tournament Players Club in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Rounds of 68, 73, 68 and 67 on the par-71 lay-out saw him through to the second phase of the three-tiered event in which top finishers can secure various playing rights on the game?s most prestigious circuit.

However, this is where the real test comes as it?s always been the second stage at which Sims has bowed out.

?In three out of four (attempts at Q School) I have made it to the second stage. All I can do is continue playing like I have been. If I do that I have a feeling I will be all right. I have to stay positive and go out there and have fun and do what I need to do,? said the 25-year-old.

Reflecting on this year ? his third as a pro ? he is optimistic his luck will change.

?I?m doing everything good enough ? putting really well ? so that relieves a lot of pressure in other places. Most importantly, I?m scoring very well and my (scoring) average is down. That?s really all that matters. I?m making key shots when I need to and I have kept getting myself into contention in tournaments,? he noted.

?My results show that I?ve made progress. Last year was a little dull results-wise but I think it?s showing more this year. Overall, I?m very happy with the direction that my game is going.?

He received an even greater indicator of his current form in last week?s first stage of Q School.

?After three rounds I was right on the number. I was 19th at four-under and there were four other guys tied. Going into the last round I knew I had to shoot even par or better to stay where I was because the cut normally doesn?t change too much on the last round ? a shot either way maybe.

?I started off with two over through four (holes) which was not the start I was looking for in the final round.?

However, his luck was about to change with a succession of birdies which put him on the right track.

?I birdied my fifth, sixth and seventh holes to get it under par and then I birdied the 11th and 12th holes and then the 14th and 15th. I bogeyed 18th coming in because I hit a poor tee shot but I knew I was in (above the cut) at the time and I could afford to make a bogey there,? said Sims.

?I played very solidly. I putted really well and I hit the ball fairly good but my putting and chipping were great.?

The Bermudian also fared well in the annual South American Tour qualifier two weeks ago which he played to tune up for Q School.

?I already have my status for that Tour because I played on it all winter last year and I?m in the top 15 on the money list and the top 50 keep their card for the following year for that Tour.

?But I played it to tune up and I finished 12th there. I didn?t score too well on the first two days but I played well on the last two days and ended up 12th out of 50 or 60.?

As he awaits word on where he will play his second round, the Island?s top golfer revealed that despite being a seasoned player, he still gets butterflies, especially in an event as important as Q School. Contrary to what others may think, he views this as a positive.

?Every time I step up on the tee I am nervous. If you don?t have that feeling when you step up on the first tee then you need to find something else to do because that?s part of it,? he said.

?It?s a good nervousness. It?s great adrenaline ? like jumping out of an aeroplane.?