Despite an improbable - if not impossible - task, Michael Sims begins today's final round of the Caribbean Open aiming to finish at even or under-par.

The Bermudian pro golfer made his quest all the more difficult yesterday by carding one-over 73 in his third round. This left him in three-way tie for 31st at five-over 221 - down and virtually out of contention for honours in the $50,000 tournament.

Still, the 23-year-old will optimistically attack the course at Our Lucaya Golf Resort in Freeport, The Bahamas, with resolute determination.

"I'm way out . . . too far out of it. I'd really like to get my score to under-par tomorrow. I feel I can get it to even par or better for the tournament. That would require me shooting five-under tomorrow (today) which I think is possible," he told The Royal Gazette after submitting his scorecard yesterday.

A remote goal is to finish among the top six golfers who have not already qualified for the Panama Open. This would book him a spot in that event which starts on Wednesday.

"I would have to play very, very well to do that," he acknowledged soberly.

That's something he has not done this week so far! At least not according to his scores - the best being even-par in the first round.

"So far I am very disappointed. I am playing well enough not to shoot the numbers I'm shooting. That's just the way it goes.

"The golf course is in pretty good shape and you have to hit the ball well here. I am just not scoring right now. It (the ball) just won't go in the hole.

"It's the same thing all over again. I'm not making putts. I keep making silly mistakes. You know, if one or two putts fall it could change the whole outcome of the day.

"I'd like to get off to a better start. I keep getting myself in trouble early so a good start tomorrow would be nice," he said.

His dismay was compounded by the fact that for the first two rounds he was paired with two golfers who are faring well. In fact, one of them, Jamaican John Bloomfield, equalled the course record (64) in the first round and now shares the lead (10-under 206) with defending champion Rafael Gomez of Argentina.

"It was very frustrating because both of the guys in my group were rolling putts in from just about everywhere. I was hoping I could get on a roll with them but unfortunately it never happened," said Sims.