Irons Wins Before 35,000 Surfing Fans

Hawaiian Andy Irons followed up his U.S. Open of Surfing victory last week with a victory in the Op Pro on Sunday in front of an announced crowd of 35,000 at Huntington Beach.

Irons, who just turned 20 last week, built from the momentum of last week’s win to advance through his six heats where he eventually faced Michael Campbell of Australia in the afternoon final.

Irons’ back-to-back victories are a first in the men’s competition.

“The U.S. Open was definitely a confidence booster,” Irons said after his 27.98 to 26.18 victory over Campbell.

Irons’ style, which is compatible with any surf from one-inch shore slop to the Pipeline, was obviously in vogue in the frequently fickle surf of Huntington Beach.

Campbell took the lead early on and caught wave after wave to keep his lead and put the pressure on the young Hawaiian.

Irons’ most crucial score came on his third wave when he was trailing Campbell by 4.60 points. Irons scored a 7.90 on that wave, which turned out to be the best wave score of the heat. From then on, Irons held the lead.

With the victory, Irons, who was ranked 38th on the World Championship Tour, jumped to 23. Campbell went from fifth to fourth.

Irons won $15,000 for Sunday’s victory. He won $10,000 last week for the U.S. Open.