Bermuda?s Michael Sims shot a two-under-par 70 earlier today at the $600,000 HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship.

The 2005 Bermuda Open champion covered the 7,137 yard, par-72 Clearwater Golf Club layout located in Christchurch, New Zealand without registering a single bogey to hold a share of 14th place at press time last night. The 28-year-old pro completed the opening nine holes in even par and continued his consistent round on the back where he collected a solitary birdie at the par-four sixth hole to enter the clubhouse at two under for the day.

For Sims, today?s opening round score was a considerable improvement from his previous outing at last week?s Jacob?s Creek Open in Adelaide, Australia. The Belmont Hills touring pro only just made the cut in last weekend?s Nationwide Tour event after a first round 67 was followed by a second round of 75.

Sims then slipped further down the leaderboard with identical closing rounds of four-over-par 76 to finish tied for 60th out of a field of 64 players.

?I was a little disappointed with the finish. I just felt really uncomfortable over the ball and struggled with my ball striking,? he said, before heading off to New Zealand earlier this week.

Aussie Peter Senior topped the field at press time last night after firing a six-under 66.