Michael Sims continues his bid to retain his Nationwide Tour card when he tees off in the Boise Open in Idaho today.

With just five Tour events remaining after this week's $725,000 tournament, the 30-year-old Bermudian pro knows he can ill afford a repeat of last week's performance when he failed to make the cut at the Utah Championships.

That dropped him from 67th to 69th on the money-list. Having played 19 Tour events this year, Sims has earned $63,264 but will have to boost that total considerably in order to make the top 50 and guarantee a place on the Tour in 2010.

Already the Georgia-based player has informed Bermuda Professional Golfers Association he won't be playing in next week's World Cup qualifiers in Venezuela with Dwayne Pearman, in order to play another Nationwide tournament. His place has been taken by Scott Roy.

The Boise Open is being played at the 6,801-yard, par-71 Hillcrest Country Club where the winner will pick up $130,500.

The event is being televised on the Golf Channel today from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. Bermuda time.