Bermuda golf pro Michael Sims fought back magnificently after a disastrous start to make only his second Nationwide Tour cut when he followed up his first round of three-under-par 69 with a one-over-par 73 yesterday.

Sims had put himself in perfect position at the Athens Regional Foundation Classic with a three-birdie bogey-free first round on Thursday.

But after just six holes at the 7,004 yard, par-72 Jennings Mill Country Club yesterday, the Belmont Hills pro had undone all of that good work with two bogeys and a double bogey to slump to four-over for the day and one-over par overall.

However, he battled back brilliantly on the back nine, holing a birdie on the par three 10th and grabbing a spectacular eagle at the par-five 14th.

He then parred his way home to finish at one-over 73 for the day but two-under for 36 holes.

The half-way cut was set at one-under par.

The tournament is offering $500,000 prize-money, including $90,000 for the winner.

Leader is Martin lairs at 11-under par after rounds of 66 and 67.

[bul] Linda Down and Lela Stearns maintained their overnight lead, firing a final round of net 73 to finish on 207 and claim the Arton Trophy at the 23rd annual Ladies Invitation golf tournament at Mid Ocean Club yesterday.

Both players scored birdies at the par-three third and 13th holes which went a long way towards wrapping up their victory.

However, the best net round of the day went to Tracy Nash and Barbara Parish who fired 66.

Shirley Wildi and partner Ann Probert took the gross prize, the Park Trophy, with a 54-hole score of 236 with Helen Stovell and Dede Brooks close behind on 239.

Full net and gross scores — see Scoreboard