Top Bermuda golfer Michael Sims is facing a tough battle in his bid to make the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School ? the annual tournament in which hundreds of players from around the world attempt to earn playing privileges for either the elite PGA Tour or Nationwide Tour.

The 26-year-old, who swept to a five-stroke victory with a record 12-under-par total in this month?s Bermuda Open, needs to place among the top 20 at the 72-hole qualifying event at the Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring, Texas this week.

But after rounds of 72 on Tuesday and 71 yesterday, he sits in a tie for 30th with nine other players ? all of them on one-under-par 143.

Six players are tied for 15th on 140 and another five players tied for 21st on 141.

Only the top 20, including ties for that position, in a field of 71 will progress through to the second stage of qualifying.

The third round is scheduled today and the final round tomorrow with Sims likely to have to shoot under par on both days in order to achieve his goal.

Restricted by a back injury for much of this year, the Belmont Hills touring pro appeared to back to his very best just earlier this month when he surged to victory in the Bermuda Open, beginning with a course record 64 on the first day and finishing with an equally impressive 65.

Now it might require numbers in that same region if he?s to keep alive his longtime dream of playing on the PGA Tour.