In his first CT event in more than a year due to a head injury, Wright scored an 8.23 and 8.60 (16.83 total) in heat 12, defeating rivals Ethan Ewing and Sebastian Zietz.

Due to this victory, Wright progressed straight to round three.

Owen’s brother Mikey came second in his heat to current men’s world champion John John Florence.

Wright could only manage 13.50, compared to Florence’s 16.83.

Mikey will now take on French Polynesian’s Michel Bourez in round two when action returns to the surf.

Sister and current women’s world champion Tyler Wright suffered the same fate at Mikey in round one.

Tyler (12.13) lost her round one showdown to Nikki Van Dijk (15.16) but she bounced back in round two against Alyssa Lock.

Wright was in fore, scoring 9.50 and 8.00 (17.50 total) compared to Lock’s 10.66.

Fellow South Coast surfer Sally Fitzgibbons, of Gerroa, won her round one heat against Keely Andrew and  Johanne Defay.

She progressed straight to round three with this victory.