Michael Sims shot a one -over-par 73 to leave himself plenty of work to do heading into to today's fourth and final round of the second stage of PGA Q School at the 7,153-yard Lake Jovita Country Club layout in Dade City, Florida.

The 28-year-old touring pro endured another day of fluctuating fortunes in the sunshine state after starting the round at three-under after carding an even-par 72 on Thursday.

Sims began yesterday's penultimate round on a solid note with a birdie at the par-five second only to come unglued with bogeys on the third and sixth holes and a double bogey at nine to make the turn at three-over for the day, even for the tournament.

The 2005 Bermuda Open champion stumbled again at the par-five 11th, where he carded another bogey, but managed to finish the day strongly with birdies at 13, 17 and 18 to keep hopes of advancing to the third stage of Q School alive - but in need of an improved performance if he's to make a serious charge up the leaderboard and secure passage to one of the PGA's lucrative tours next year.

In order to reach the next stage Sims must finish in the top 20 or tied, a feat the Rhodes University graduate achieved on the sixth attempt last year to earn a spot on the PGA's Nationwide Tour.