Nationwide Tour Insider: Aussie Sim aims for the top

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Australia's Michael Sim comes off a win at the Stonebrae Classic at TPC San Francisco Bay two weeks ago.

Just over a week since his victory at the Stonebrae Classic, Michael Sim arrives in Athens, Ga., as the top-ranked player on the current Nationwide Tour money list.

Sim earned his PGA TOUR card in his rookie season on the Nationwide Tour in 2006 by finishing 19th on the money list. Despite a stress fracture to his spine that hampered his debut and ability to maintain status on the PGA TOUR, he managed two top 10s in 2007 and '08 with combined earnings of $669,764.

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Athens Regional Foundation Classic

Course: Jennings Mill | Analysis Field: Complete | Analysis Tee times | '08 results | Winners

With three top-10 finishes in his first five starts of the 2009 Nationwide Tour season, the 24-year-old Australian is at the top of his game and eager to compete again this week. He sat down with Nationwide Tour Media Official Kin Lo to talk about his week and his goals.

PGATOUR.COM: Let's start at the beginning -- you were born in the country where golf was born and moved to Perth, Australia, at a young age. Where and when did you first start playing?

I was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, but my dad had a job opportunity in Australia. I also think he was interested in a change of lifestyle -- never really talked too much about it. So we moved to Perth when I was six. Didn't play golf in Scotland but took up the game shortly after we moved. I also played basketball as a kid, but knew I wasn't too good ... so decided to focus on golf. My game really improved when I was about 14, and I went from around a five-handicap to scratch in a year. From then on, I knew I wanted to be a pro.

PGATOUR.COM: Did you ever think about playing professionally on the Australasian or Asian Tours?

SIM: I did, and actually went to q-school for both. But in 2006, I got a sponsor exemption to the Jacob's Creek Open Championship in Australia on the Nationwide Tour and finished second in a playoff. That allowed me to play the rest of the season on the Nationwide Tour. The PGA TOUR is the best in the world, and I knew that's where I wanted to be.

PGATOUR.COM: What's it like playing on the Nationwide Tour?

SIM: I'll tell you what, the players out here are really, really good. You have the best young players in the world as well as the veterans looking to make the next step in their careers. I love it out here. My goal is to finish at the top of the money list and get back to the PGA TOUR.

PGATOUR.COM: Did you know you're at the top of the statistics off the tee this year, ranking third in both distance and driving accuracy?

SIM: Hadn't seen that stat, but I really do love hitting my driver -- probably my favorite club in my bag. If I have the opportunity, I'll hit it. But there are a bunch of players on Tour that hit it long. I think keeping it in the fairway is much more important.

PGATOUR.COM: You obviously spend a lot of time on the golf course between tournament rounds and practice. What are some of your interests off the course?

SIM: Let's see. I'm a big fan of the Melbourne Kangaroos in the Australian Football League (rugby). I live in Phoenix now and really like the Suns and the NBA. I'm also into PlayStation -- favorite games are Pro Evolution Soccer, NBA Live and Call of Duty. And cars ... I really like cars.

PGATOUR.COM: Cars? What kind of car do you drive?

SIM: I drive a 2007 BMW M5. Bought it used a while back and absolutely love it.

PGATOUR.COM: OK, back to golf. What's your favorite course?

SIM: It's got to be Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. My manager is member there and takes me out to play when I'm in town. It's always in such great condition and a real test. It's tough for anyone to make par around that course. It really never gives you a breather.

PGATOUR.COM: Do you ever think about what you would be doing if you weren't a professional golfer?

SIM: Not much, because it's been my focus for so long. My dad is an accountant and always wanted me to go into the profession, so maybe that would be it. But knowing how much I love fast cars, I might want to be a cop.

Athens Regional Foundation Classic notes

• Inclement weather delayed practice rounds at Jennings Mill Country Club in Athens through midday Tuesday, but the forecast is favorable for the rest of the week.

• The Monday-qualifying tournament was postponed and began after the thunderstorms cleared on Tuesday, with final rounds expected to be completed by Wednesday afternoon. Approximately 300 players are competing for 14 spots in the tournament.

• Athens is just a two-hour drive from Augusta, Ga., where the 2009 Masters Tournament concluded last Sunday. There are currently 26 players in the field at this year's Athens Regional Foundation Classic who have competed in the Masters, including five with top-10 finishes: Len Mattiace, Paul Stankowski, Ted Schulz, Carlos Franco and Andrew Magee.