Bermuda's Nationwide pro Michael Sims bowed out of the $475,000 Rex Hospital Open in North Carolina yesterday after failing to make the cut.

Sims shot a five-over-par 76 to go along with an opening round score of 80 to finish in a three-way tie for 148th position among a field of 160.

The 2005 Bermuda Open champion began yesterday's round in 150th place and in need of nothing short of a miracle to salvage any chance of progressing in the Nationwide event.

Sims bogeyed holes two and nine but birdied eight to make the turn at four-over-par.

But additional bogeys at 12 and 14 and a quadruple bogey at the par-four 17th saw Sims finish well outside the cut, which was reserved for those finishing 60th or tied.

At press time last night American Kyle Thompson held a five-shot lead at the top of the leaderboard over compatriot Bob Burns.

*William Haddrell shot an even par 71 during yesterday's opening round of the Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championships at Port Royal to open a three-shot lead over defending champion Robert Vallis and youngster Daniel Augustus who both carded 74 in challenging conditions. Play continues today with the ladies playing their first round.