Michael Sims is hoping to see the back of his troubles when he returns to competitive golf next week.

The year so far has been wretched for the Bermudian pro ? still seeking to break into the big time in the USA ? and, just as he felt things were starting to turn around a few weeks ago, spasms in his lower back sidelined him.

Added to the fact that he has only made two cuts so far this season, this recent scare has made Sims all the more determined to make the second half of 2005 much brighter.

?I really haven?t done that much. I haven?t been playing well this year. It?s been a really rough start to the beginning of the year. Just as I started playing good then my back acted up. It?s frustrating but what you gonna do?

?I?ll start my year next week,? said the Island?s top golfer who intends to pursue the Hooters Tour throughout the summer.

Three weeks ago, the 26-year-old was in Chicago, playing on that very tournament circuit, when his back suddenly flared up.

?I don?t know exactly how I hurt it but it was apparently while I was playing golf up in Chicago on the Hooters Tour. I came back from my morning round and worked out and later, as I was going out to dinner, I felt a little weird. When I sat down at dinner I felt worse and by the time I got home it was not good.

?The next day I woke up and could barely move,? said Sims who was later prescribed anti-inflammatory tablets by a doctor.

He survived the cut despite his troublesome back but failed to make an impression on the leaderboard.

?It was not very good,? he said candidly.

The spasms in his lower back kept him out of action for the following two weeks and, with there being no Hooters event this week, the Florida-based golfer has had a third one to rest, recuperate and reflect on what?s been going wrong on the greens.

?I?ve just been playing badly. I?ve been hitting the ball okay and doing some things well but I just keep on shooting big numbers and there?s nothing really I can say about it except that I?m playing bad ? no excuses,? acknowledged Sims whose aim is to resume playing next Thursday in Savannah, Georgia.

Asked about his best result this year, his exasperated response gave an indication of just how horrific 2005 has been for him thus far.

?I don?t even know. I?ve only made two cuts this year and even when I made those there was nothing really to shout about.

?Hopefully that will change sooner rather than later.?