Australia's Taj Burrow, a perennial top performer on the ASP World Tour, defeated South Africa's Jordy Smith in two- to three-foot surf in the final of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast at Snapper Rocks.
The home crowd was jubilant after his triumph and rightly so, as Burrow was methodical in winning heat after heat in often difficult conditions during the season's first contest.
"I'm so so happy right now--it's the best feeling on Earth!" said Burrow, 31, who is seeking his first world title. "It's unreal. I have a good group of friends with me and my parents are here supporting me. To have everyone cheering me on in the final is really really special."
Smith, who defeated nine-time champion Kelly Slater in the fourth round, led for most of the 40-minute final, but Burrow turned up his performance at the midway point and ultimately prevailed by a best-two-waves score of 15.57 to 12.56.
Burrow beat Santa Barbara's Bobby Martinez in one semifinal, while Smith defeated Ventura's Dane Reynolds in the other.
The next World Tour event is the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, scheduled March 30-April 10.
-- Pete Thomas
Photo: Taj Burrow in action during the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Credit: © ASP / SCHOLTZ
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