Michael Sims soared up the leaderboard yesterday at the BMW Charity Pro-Am in South Carolina thanks to a superb four-under second round of 67 — an effort which gives him a fantastic chance of making it past the tournament’s day-three cut.

Reeling off an impressive six birdies together with two bogeys, the Nationwide Tour rookie finished the day tied for 71st on one-over for the tournament — jumping from 152nd overnight to become easily the biggest mover of the day.

Today’s cut for the tournament has been set at the top 60 and ties, with Sims currently only one shot off that position and nine shots off the lead.

Sims’ 67 was bettered only by tournament leader Jason Alfred from the USA, who registered a six-under 65 to sit atop the leaderboard along with compatriot Tommy Gainey on eight-under.

The Bermuda number one’s superb form at The Cliffs resort in Greenville yesterday represented a remarkable fightback after his hugely disappointing first round, where he fired a bogey-strewn 76 to finish very near the bottom of the field.

The BMW Charity Pro-Am is the only event on the Nationwide Tour which sees celebrities and professionals playing together under a three-ball, better-ball format over three different courses and as such, boasts an unusual format.

While most other Tour events make their cuts after round two, players in Greenville this week have been presented with an additional 18 holes to try and make it inside the top 60 and ties.

And while the professionals battle it out for the lucrative individual purse — totalling $625,000 with $117,000 going to the winner — the top 14 Pro-Am teams also win the right to play tomorrow.

However, a pro competing on one of the top 14 teams who finishes outside the top 60 and ties is only allowed to carry on playing in the team event.