Michael Sims is disappointed that he will not be be competing for Bermuda in a World Cup qualifying event in Malaysia later this month.

But the young amateur golfer, who has enjoyed a summer of sensational success including a run to the quarter-finals of the US Amateur Championships, will return home to compete in the Bermuda Open next month.

Sims added that he intended to turn professional, but had not yet decided when.

Ocean View pro Dwayne Pearman and Southampton Princess-based Andrew Trott will make up Bermuda's two-man team to play in the Nations Cup event in Kuala Lumpur, a World Cup qualifying tournament, from September 27 to 30.

But it has been Sims who has proved himself the Island's most in-form golfer this year by winning top US amateur tournaments the North-South and The Players' Tournament and shooting a Mid Ocean Club course record 62, as well as his impressive showing in the US Amateur in Georgia.

Nations Cup rules state that players taking part must be professionals and Sims confirmed he had not been approached by selectors from Bermuda Professional Golfers' Association.

"I would love to have represented Bermuda," said Sims, who has now returned to studying General Business at the University of Rhode Island. "I respect that the association have their own rules and regulations and they want to follow them."

But would Sims have turned pro to make himself eligible to play for Bermuda, had he been approached?

"I'm not sure about that," he said.

Sims added: "I think Dwayne and Andrew are the best Bermuda have to offer, I do wish them really well and I'm 100 percent behind them."

Sims' appearance in the Bermuda Open, scheduled for October 11 to 14 at Port Royal Golf Club, is a boost for the tournament, which will feature pros and amateurs from home and abroad.

Locals may be expecting much from the 22-year-old after his high-profile success, particularly at the US Amateur. But Sims will go into the tournament with feet firmly on the ground.

"I don't think there will be any extra pressure on me," said Sims. "There will some good players and half the guys in the field will never have heard of me.

"This is our national championship and I'm really looking forward to coming home and playing in it."

Some expected Sims to turn pro and make his bid for the riches up for grabs on the PGA Tour after his rapid progress this year, but he was clearly in no hurry to take the plunge.

"I intend to turn pro, but I have not yet made the decision on when," said Sims. "Obviously, I've had a lot of advice from everybody. I've talked to a lot of people and heard their opinions, but in the end it's up to me. I have a plan in my own mind."

Sims will play, as an amateur, in the New England Open in Maine next week, a three-day stroke play event.

He will return to the Island to prepare for the Bermuda Open on October 6.