Top local golf professional Michael Sims safely negotiated the first hurdle yesterday in his bid to secure full playing privileges on the US PGA Tour or Buy.com Tour next year.

Despite a final round of one-over-par 73, his four-round total of 283 proved easily good enough to advance from the first event of Tour Qualifying School at the Cypresswood Country Club outside Houston, Texas.

More than 80 pros were competing in the Texas event - one of several Q-school tournaments staged around the US - but only the final top 20 including ties earned a spot in the next qualifying stage, another 72-hole event in about four weeks' time at a venue still to be announced.

Sims, entering the last round in fifth place after a superb 68 on Thursday, slipped into a tie for eighth following his 73 yesterday but was rarely in danger of dropping out of the top 20.

His first two rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday were 73 and 69.

Overnight leader Kevin Muncrief of Oklahoma held onto his lead, posting a final round 71 for a 275 total.

Should Sims make it through the next qualifying stage he'll then enter the final event of Q-School - a tough seven-round tournament which ultimately decides which pros will be given their playing cards for the lucrative PGA Tour or the lesser Buy.com Tour.

The 23-year-old Bermudian, who failed to get through Q-School last year, has had to rely on Monday qualifying events this season to earn his place in Buy.com tournaments and has yet to make his debut in a full PGA Tour event.

Between now and the next stage of Q-School he will be competing in a qualifying event for the South American Tour which is scheduled to start in Florida next week.