Michael Sims increased his chances of advancing to the next stage of PGA Tour Q School with a birdie blitz in Texas yesterday.

The Bermudian shot a four-under-par 68 to remain in a three-way tie for ninth place with two rounds left to play.

Sims improved on Tuesday's opening-round score of two-over-par 74 by making 12 pars, five birdies and a solitary bogey at the Cypresswood Golf Club layout yesterday.

Roughly the top 20 and ties will progress to the second stage.

Unlike the previous day, the Island's touring began his round on solid footing by birdieing four of the first nine holes.

And despite dropping a shot on the back nine, a birdie at the par-five 12th gave Sims enough momentum on his way to the clubhouse to keep him in good stead heading into today's penultimate round. His lone bogey came at the par-three 14th, where Sims had suffered a double bogey the day before.

In order to retain his Nationwide Tour status, or possibly go one better and secure an even more lucrative PGA Tour Card, Sims needs to progress to the third and final phase of the gruelling qualifying process.

Last week saw the 2005 Bermuda Open champ, who turned pro in 2002, finish strongly at the $475,000 Chattanooga Classic in Tennessee to grab a share of 34th place.

"I feel in good form after achieving one of my best finishes of the season last week," Sims said earlier this week. My goal ahead of Q School is to earn the best possible playing status - and that's the PGA Tour card."