Michael Sims' hopes of retaining his Nationwide Tour card are hanging by a thread after an up and down first round yesterday at the Miccosukee Championship in Miami – saved only by a blazing finish.

The Bermudian gave himself a shot at making the cut today as he fired three straight birdies in the final five holes to finish with an even-par 71.

That left him seven shots behind leader Andrew Buckle who recorded a seven-under 64 at the 7,200-yard, par 71 Miccosukee Golf & Country Club.

Starting his round on the back nine, Sims got off to a shaky start with a bogey at his second hole (the 11th) and despite a birdie at the 14th, he put himself in deep trouble with further bogeys at the 16th, 17th and second holes to drop to three-over.

However, he picked up shots at the fifth, sixth and seventh holes, got back to even par and negotiated his final two holes without incident. That left him in a tie for 70th in a field of 144, most likely right on today's cut line.

If he makes that cut, he'll then have to shoot for at least a top 30 finish and earn a cheque big enough to take him into the Tour's top 60 money earners in what is the final regular event of this year's Nationwide Tour.

He needs to be in the top 60 if he is to keep his card automatically and qualify for the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship next week at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, South Carolina.

In 65th place at the start of the week, Sims ($87,864) was $3,974 behind B.J. Staten ($91,811) who occupies the all-important 60th position.

However, with a $625,000 purse, and a winners share of $112,500 available, a good finish could rocket him up the rankings.