Nick Kyme's play "probably was not of a sufficient enough standard" to warrant a wildcard entry into the Bermuda Open squash tournament, the Professional Squash Association said yesterday.

The Island pro had hoped to be given the nod to appear in the first-round proper of the $55,000 showpiece event which will feature many of the world's top players in March.

However, the PSA ? the sport's governing body ? ruled that his ranking of 114 was not high enough to warrant him displacing an overseas player further up the standings ? a move that upset both Kyme and the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association.

Speaking to the from Wales yesterday, Gawain Briars, executive director of PSA, said it had not been "an easy issue because we have to juggle the different factors".

"It was a close decision by the board, ultimately. They had to weigh up the perceived benefits, obviously, for the promoter as against the interests of the players," he said.

"It was a very close decision but they did decide that ultimately Nicholas probably wasn't of a sufficient enough standard to merit a direct entry into the main draw of a $50,000 event at this stage, although they were very conscious of the possible benefits to the promoter. But this would have cost another top player his own opportunity in the main draw."

Briars, who will be here to meet with the BRSA during what he termed a "site visit" between February 7 and 9, said the PSA had no problem with Kyme being awarded one of four positions allocated to Bermudians in the qualifying rounds and he said he had advised the BRSA of this.

"We have advised that the promoters do go ahead and offer Nicholas a local spot where we think he will, not only have a much better chance of a win and progression even then through to the main draw on merit, but, certainly, also add value to the event," Briars said.

However, the reality is that unless Kyme pulls off two unlikely wins in the qualifiers against opponents in the top 30 in the world, there will, in all likelihood, be no Bermudian in the main draw.

Bermuda's director of squash, Ross Triffitt, declined to comment further yesterday as the BRSA is planning to release an official response on Monday.