Port Macquarie surfer Matt Banting has been dealt a major blow in his quest to return to the World Championship Tour, knocked out of the US Open on Monday night.
Starting off strong with his first wave, he was almost on par with winner Jake Marshall.
But, in the end, he was beaten by less than a tenth of a point in round two.
It’s expected the early exit will see him drop from third in the world qualifying series rankings.