Michael Sims crashed out of the $138,000 New England Open this week ? missing the cut by 11 shots after two bogey-strewn rounds at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club in New Hampshire.

The Bermuda Open champion actually won the event in 2001 ? becoming the first amateur to do so in the tournament?s 28-year history ? but never looked like replicating that kind of form this time around on the 6,758-yard course near the town of New Durham.

Sims shot a five over 77 in the first round on Wednesday, which included three birdies, two bogeys and three double bogeys.

He followed this up with an identical second round number the next day ? a round ruined by an embarrassing ten on the par five eighth, rated the hardest hole on the course.

After 36 holes the 27-year-old was some 25 shots behind the leader, America?s Geoffrey Sisk.

While a persistent wrist injury which kept him out for almost a month earlier this year appears to have healed, Sims? season in the US has been blighted by inconsistency, with low rounds frequently followed by scores in the high 70s and even 80s which have pushed him out of contention at the many tournaments he has entered.

Earlier this month he qualified for his first Nationwide Tour event in four years by shooting a course-record 65 in qualifying, only to shoot two scores over 70 in the tournament proper to miss the cut at the Legend Financial Group Classic in Ohio.

From here, Sims is set to play in another New England Pro Tour event next week, while he has also confirmed he will be back to defend his Bermuda Open crown next month.

And though he was quick to dismiss it as ?just another tournament?, his biggest challenge of the year comes in November when he looks once again to earn his PGA or Nationwide Tour playing card at Q-School.

It will be Sims? sixth attempt at the highly-coveted card since turning professional in 2002.