After playing only a handful of events on this year's Nationwide Tour, Bermuda's most successful pro golfer, Michael Sims, is on course to regain the Tour card which will make him eligible to play in all of next year's events.

Sims has been hampered by injury this year but is now playing in the first stage of Qualifying School at the Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrietta, California.

And yesterday, after carding an even par 72 in the first round on Wednesday, he went two shots better, returning a two-under 70, leaving him in 15th place with a dozen players still out on the course.

Only the top 20 with ties will advance to second stage of Q School at the Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge at Panther Lake in Winter Garden, Florida.

Starting on the back nine on Wednesday he fired two birdies and an eagle offset by four bogeys.

But yesterday, teeing off on the first hole he got off to blazing start with five birdies in nine holes, ruined by a double bogey at the par-four fourth.

An almost flawless back nine saw Sims card just one bogey and eight pars.

Based in Georgia, the 31-year-old Bermudian will probably need two more sub-par rounds today and tomorrow to keep his place in the top 20.