Island touring pro Michael Sims carded a three-under-par 68 to open a five-shot lead over closest rival Dwayne Pearman on day two of the Bermuda Open at Port Royal yesterday.

Despite making rare bogeys at holes 10 and 11, having entered the back nine at two-under-par for the second day in succession, Sims? superb all-round game shone through as he quickly regained his footing and birdied three of the final five holes to tighten the screws on the rest of the field heading into today?s penultimate round.

Dissecting the course with surgical-like precision, the 26-year-old was among a trio of local golfers who carded 68 in humid and slightly windy conditions.

Ocean View pro Pearman also shot three-under-par to take sole possession of second place while Tucker?s Point pro Andrew Trott moved into fifth after producing an equally solid round of golf.

American Tim Conley and Canada?s Ian Doig both fell off the pace, carding one-over-par 72 and a two-over 73 respectively after posting opening round scores 66 on Thursday while Nationwide Tour player Richard Johnson carded a one-under 70 to hold down third position and remain in contention.

However, for the second day in a row, Sims, who set a course record 64 on Thursday, was again the subject of much discussion in and around the clubhouse.

?It was a little windy out there today but overall I thought it was good,? a relaxed Sims told

After making par on the opening five holes, the Bermudian pumped his fist in the air as he nailed a breaking 12-foot birdie putt on the sixth ? his first of the day ? before repeating the trick on the very next hole.

Sims? second shot at the par-five seventh, with a four iron, found a greenside bunker. Standing directly under the pin in the trap, his third shot hit the pin but then rolled back to the fringe of the green leaving him ten feet for birdie.

But with nerves of steel, he holed out to go two under.

?I guess I was really in a good state of mind,? he smiled.

The joy, however, would be short-lived as Sims encountered misfortune on the first two holes on the backside.

?I was hitting the ball and putting well but then I made bogey on 10 and 11,? he lamented. ?I ended up having to take an unplayable.?

But with the hallmark of a champion, Sims quickly stopped the rot.

?It felt great to bounce back with birdies on 14 and 15 and 18,? he added .

With a little luck Sims? lead at the summit might have been wider had it not been for a missed birdie attempt by inches at the 16th and a remarkable chip with a seven iron at the 17th which lipped out.

?I actually thought I was going to chip that one in,? said Sims. ?I saw the line but it lipped out. But in the end I made par.

?But that?s just golf and I just try to go out there and do the best I can with every situation which presents itself to me.?

Sims punctuated another fine round by making birdie on the final hole, much to the delight of proud parents Bruce and Carol who accompanied their son over the entire 18 holes.

Multiple champion Pearman was also pleased with his second round performance, especially coming off the tee.

?I?m striking the ball pretty good off the tee and hitting the greens and overall I?m feeling quite comfortable,? he said back in the clubhouse. ?Overall I thought I had a respectable round of golf but there?s still two days of left to play and a tournament has never been won on the first or second day.

?This is a four-day tournament and so you have to be patient and I intend to keep plugging away and no matter what happens give it my best shot.?

While Sims and Pearman enjoyed solid rounds of golf, there was cause for concern in Doig?s camp after the Canadian injured his back early in the round.

?I had an awkward lie on the second hole on my second shot out of the bunker and my feet and legs were up against the back of the bunker,? he recalled. ?I felt a little tinge on that shot and as the round progressed it kept tightening up.

?I was a little worried for a while and so I took a couple of Advils and was able to at least grind it out and finish with a half decent score.?

However, making double bogey at 11 and 13 didn?t help Doig?s cause.

?That was disappointing but then again things weren?t all that bad considering,? he added. ?So we?ll have to see what happens tomorrow and at this point in time I?d be very surprised if this forces me out of the tournament.?

In the amateur division, Dave Allison shot two-over-par 73 to replace overnight leader Damon Smith (82) at the top.