Michael Sims' hopes of returning full-time to the Nationwide Tour virtually disappeared over the weekend and the dream of playing alongside the likes of Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour was dashed.

But with the sixth and final round of the marathon PGA Tour Qualifying School taking part at La Quinta in California today, the Bermudian pro golfer will take some consolation from the fact that no matter how he finishes he will be afforded limited privileges on the Nationwide – the Tour on which he played in 2007 before losing his status.

In a tournament believed by many to be the toughest in all of pro golf – both mentally and physically – Sims has endured a tale of two courses.

On the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course, he's fired superb rounds of 69, 67 and yesterday another 69 – a total of 11-under-par.

But on the PGA West Stadium Course, where he completes the event today, the 29-year-old has suffered rounds of 76 and 74 – six over par.

That leaves him on a total of 355 after five rounds – five-under and not quite enough to challenge one of the top 50 spots, from which the leading 25 will earn their PGA Tour cards and the rest Nationwide status. In ideal warm conditions, with little wind, scores generally have been astonishingly low.

Overall leader Harrison Frazer goes into today's finale at 27-under and all but guaranteed a return to the PGA Tour.

It would take a remarkable effort by Sims today to move up the leaderboard by almost 70 spots. He would need to shoot in the low 60s, and even then that might not be enough.

On the same course on Saturday he managed just one birdie and three bogeys for a 74.

But back on the Nicklaus course yesterday, while showing his undeniable talent, he suffered the kind of frustrating inconsistency which has dogged much of his pro career.

He posted seven birdies along with seven pars but recorded four bogeys.