The threat of lightning stopped Bermuda pro golfer Michael Sims in his tracks yesterday as he enjoyed a flying start to the Buy.Com Tour's Knoxville Open in Tennessee.

But after play resumed he remained in good position to make the half-way cut.

Having qualified for the event via the play-off route earlier this week, Sims was making the most of his opportunity as he birdied two of the first six holes on the 7,142 yard, par-72 Fox Den Country Club lay-out.

With half of the field in the clubhouse and the other half stranded on the course when the suspension siren sounded, Sims was at two-under-par.

After resuming, he then parred the next five holes and then birdied the 12th to move to three under par and into a tie for 11th place.

Leaders in the clubhouse, having completed their round, were Todd Fischer, Chris Tidland and Todd Baranger who all posted first-round 67s - five-under-par.

Another six players were on four-under.

Twenty-three-year-old Sims, who was one of the last to tee off in yesterday's round, will have been delighted with his start, having failed to make the cut in the last two Buy.Com events for which he has qualified.

But he showed signs of his best form earlier this week when he fired 67 in Monday's qualifier and then survived a play-off to join a group of 14 to advance from a starting field of 208.