Hawaiian local Dusty Payne has overcame a richly talented list of Pipeline legends and specialists to earn a wildcard spot in this weekend's Billabong Pipe Masters.
For Payne, who's still recovering from back surgery, his win in the final over Benji Brand, Seth Moniz and 2015 Pipe Invitational champ, Australia's Jack Robinson, must feel particularly sweet.
"I'm excited to be in the Pipe Masters, for every surf kid who grows up in Hawaii it's a dream event," said Payne, who hails from the neighbouring island of Maui.
"It's a blessing to be here, it was a fun day and I'm super grateful the WSL gave us this opportunity."
Payne now competes in the final leg of the WSL men's tour, where four men are in contention for the 2017 world crown including Australia's Julian Wilson.
However the Coolum product, who sits fourth in the rankings, needs the trio above him to bomb out early at the Pipeline Masters.
Series leader John John Florence will defend his crown if he makes the final but Brazilian Gabriel Medina and South Africa's Jordy Smith in second and third will prey on any mistake made by the Hawaiian.
At Friday's invitational, the day opened with glassy six-to eight foot peaks popping up with random frequency.
But when the light onshore winds kicked in and the swell backed off, Pipe became less menacing. As the conditions transitioned into more beach break-like conditions, the younger crew were able to adapt more quickly while the traditional favourites begin to fall to the wayside
Big names, like former Pipe Masters Jamie O'Brien and Bruce Irons, current Triple Crown leader Griffin Colapinto and Oahu North Shore favorites Mason Ho and Barron Mamiya, all went down in the early stages.
