Brett Simpson gave Taj Burrow a serious challenge in their Round 3 heat, but Burrow got an 8.33 late in the heat to give him a big victory over Simpson 15.66-13.17.

Simpson, the wildcard from Huntington Beach, got a 6.50 on a good right where he closed with a hard reverse. Forcing the fourth-rated Aussie to get a 5.84 to take the lead.

Burrow went right a few minutes later and was likely overscored, but the ride forced Simpson to get an 8.99 to get the lead back, but that was not going to happen with three minutes left.

South Africa’s Jordy Smith ended Chris Ward’s contest with a smothering 17.27-12.10 win.

Smith waited 10 minutes for his first ride but silenced Ward with an 8.0 and 9.27 on a pair of rights he lit up with fins flying.

Ward, of San Clemente needed  a 17.28 combination to catch Smith, making it an overall bad day for locals. De Souza was today’s only survivor.

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