It was a close call - or more appropriately close cut - for Bermuda's Michael Sims yesterday at the Caribbean Open in The Bahamas.

The 23-year-old squeezed into the latter stage of the tournament by one stroke after carding a disappointing four-over-par second round 76 at Our Lucaya Golf Resort in Freeport.

That, added to his even-par 72 in Wednesday's opening round, left him at four-over 148 overall - exactly the score at which the midway cut was made.

While qualifying for the final two rounds of competition, Sims has left himself with a major challenge if he is to make a mark in the first tournament of the 2003 South American Tour calendar.

He is currently in a seven-way tie for 32nd spot.

American Richard Terga and Jamaica's John Bloomfield have set a torrid pace for the first two rounds to head the leaderboard with 11-under 133 and nine-under 135 respectively - exchanging positions from round one when Bloomfield led.

Defending champion Rafael Gomez of Argentina, fighting off a recurring back strain, is third on seven-under.

Meanwhile, American Tim Conley, runner-up in last year's Bermuda Open, is tied for sixth place at three-under. He had been tied with Sims after the first round, having also shot even-par on Wednesday.

Three other Bermudians, playing as amateurs, crashed out of the Open. Eldon Raynor finished joint 84th with 28-over 172 while Max Atherden was 86th with 30-over and Winston Robinson 87th on 36-over.