Bermuda pro Michael Sims left himself with a mountain to climb after a disappointing opening round in the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School yesterday.

Entering the crucial 72-hole tournament in confident mood following a record victory in last month?s Bermuda Open and a superb final round of 66 in the first stage of Q-School two weeks? ago in Texas, the 26-year-old could only manage a three-over par 75 on the Bad/Ugly Course at the Hombre Golf Club in Panama City, Florida.

That left him in a tie for 68th in the field of 78 and 10 shots behind first round leader, former PGA Tour pro Paul Gow who carded a blistering seven-under-par 65.

Also high up on the leaderboard were names such as Skip Kendall and Dicky Pride at four-under, and Larry Mize and Ken Green ? local pro Kim Swan?s former college room-mate ? at two under, all of them looking to reach the third and final stage of Q-School and a shot at regaining their Tour cards.

Three-time Bermuda Open champion P.H. Horgan, from Rhode Island, fared even worse than Sims as he struggled to a five-over par 77 which left him in a tie for 76th.

Sims started superbly yesterday with a birdie at the opening par-five hole, but immediately dropped a shot at the par-four second, before registering another birdie at the par-five fourth. But from then on everything went horribly wrong as he bogeyed the fifth and took a double bogey six at the par-four sixth to make the turn at two over.

On the back nine a birdie at the par-four 12th was offset by bogeys at 11 and 14.

Only the top 19 players plus ties will advance to the final stage of Q-School where all of the players will be guaranteed at least limited privileges on the Nationwide Tour. The top 30 in the final tournament will qualify for next year?s elite PGA Tour.

This week?s tournament in Florida is one of three taking place around the US. Another three second stage events are scheduled next week.