Golfer Michael Sims is facing the most crucial two rounds of his young pro career.

With two days remaining in the second stage of PGA Tour qualifying school at the Hombre City Golf Club in Panama, Florida, the Bermudian is tied for eighth place ? aware that after 72 holes the top 20 plus ties will advance to the potentially lucrative third and final stage of qualifying.

In his third year as a professional, Sims has never before made it that far.

But if he can maintain the form he?s shown over the last two days, his entire playing career is destined to change.

At the final stage of qualifying, the top 30 will be eligible for PGA Tour membership while the remainder will all earn playing rights of some sort on the secondary Nationwide Tour.

On Wednesday, 25 year-old Sims fired an even-par 72 to finish in a tie for 15th with 10 others in the 79-strong field.

Then yesterday he soared up to eighth following a superb three-under-par 69 ? a score that was bettered by only four others.

Paul Claxton of Georgia currently tops the leaderboard at nine-under after rounds of 69 and 66 with Britain?s Brian Davis at eight-under (68-69).

Sims lies at three-under with five other players, ahead of many well known players such as Larry Mize, Dick Mast, Dicky Pride and Russ Cochran who have all played on the PGA Tour in past years.