Michael Sims and Dwayne Pearman are on a mission to tame the Tiger - and not Woods either.

The `Tiger' in their sights is not the world's top-ranked golfer but rather El Tigre golf course in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the site of this year's Nations Cup.

Between next Wednesday and Saturday (October 8-11), the Bermudian duo will be locked in battle against their peers from South America and the Caribbean in a quest to qualify for next month's World Cup in the USA.

Only the top two teams will advance and Bermuda's non-playing captain Kim Swan says the Island's golfers can take nothing for granted though they stand an excellent chance of success if they showcase their best form.

"I believe the combination of these two high-quality players gives Bermuda a very good chance of qualifying should they play to their optimal ability.

"It's not every day you fire on all cylinders but certainly both have the capability and proven records that show we stand a good chance. In my opinion, this is the strongest team Bermuda could ever put together but we're not going to finish in the top two unless they perform to the best of their ability. Let's not make any bones about that.

"The standard of the competition will be very stiff. The quality of golf in South America and the Caribbean has risen. In South America they have a lot of professional golfers and you see a lot of South Americans emerging in the world of professional golf. They take their golf very seriously and they play very well," assessed Swan.

However, the Bermudians will be concentrating on their game and not watching their rivals, he stressed.

"Our focus will be on our game, on how we play. In strokeplay you can't focus on other people you can only take care of your game, your shot. Our aim is not to focus on who the competition is or who we perceive to be the quality players in the field."

Speaking of Sims, he said: "It's the first time in 20 years that we have a full-time playing pro represent Bermuda". The 24-year-old, who turned pro last year, has been "working hard on his game" in West Palm Beach, Florida, after a slump earlier this season.

"He is showing promising signs that his game is making a turn and he is coming into form just at the right time with this his first chance, as a professional, to represent his country."

Pearman, Swan noted, is "a seasoned campaigner and an accomplished player whose game is at a very high standard and who has competed at this level on numerous occasions".

The Sims-Pearman partnership will compete in two rounds of better ball and two rounds of foursomes on the par-72, 7,239-yard course that boasts 12 holes with water courses and three fearsome `beach' bunkers.

"Foursomes is alternating shots and that makes for very interesting competition. Not many tournaments in the world play that format.

"We've played it before against New England pros and Dwayne has had experience playing in those events. So that's a plus," said Swan.

He is not bothered by the fact that the two Bermudians have not played together recently, pointing out that both "are capable of adapting and they will have practice days on Monday and Tuesday" ahead of the start of competition.

As for his role, Swan noted he will be there to make things as smooth as possible for the players and "to encourage positive vibes".