Young gun outshines big names

YOUNG Cronulla rookie Connor O’Leary has shown a host of Australian big names how to take a win at the famous Pipe Masters.

One of the youngest surfers on tour at just 23, O’Leary is one of just three Aussies who have made it safely to the third round of the famous Hawaiian surf event.

In one of the worst starts to a contest by Australian surfers this year, former world champions Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson yesterday joined a host of star Aussies surfing for survival.

Fanning and Parkinson, who O’Leary beat in their contest opener, are in good company in Round 2 of the final event of the men’s world tour.

After four days of waiting for swell, officials managed to squeeze in the final three heats of the opening round in erratic conditions.

Central Coast surfer Ace Buchan and O’Leary won their heats to advance directly into the third round of the event, where they join Josh Kerr.

However, Fanning and Parkinson will join the likes of Owen Wright, world title contender Julian Wilson, Matt Wilkinson, Stu Kennedy, Bede Durbidge, Ethan Ewing and Jack Freestone in the elimination second round of the Pipeline event.