Wildcard Mikey Wright has taken another scalp on the World Surf League tour as he edges closer to earning a full-time spot alongside his brother and sister.
The New South Welshman paired wave scores of 7.17 and 7.00 to easily beat fancied American Kolohe Andino in the second round of the Bali Pro on Monday.
The result set up a duel with Sunshine Coast product and current series leader Julian Wilson and added another highlight to the raw talent's blossoming season.
Wright beat reigning world champion John John Florence and former champion Gabriel Medina on his way to ninth in the season-opening Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast.
He was 13th at Brazil's Rio Pro after earning another wildcard and currently sits 24th on tour despite missing Bells Beach's Rip Curl Pro.
That ranking will rise after his Indonesian campaign, with further wildcards a possibility and at least one more berth guaranteed after the Margaret River Pro was rescheduled.
If he finishes the season inside the top 24 he will be the first man to earn direct entry to the Champions Tour while competing as a wildcard.
"I kind of wanted to have my teenage years and now I'm back, working hard wanting this and the hard work is paying off," he told AAP.
"I don't think it's been done before, so that would be pretty funny, but (thinking about qualification points) is just over-complicating things."
A full-time berth would see him join three-time world champion sister Tyler and big brother Owen in a three-pronged WSL Wright attack.
But the man with the unmistakable mullet and natural surfing flare says he will continue to be his own man.
"I don't feel like I'm ever being compared to them, because we're all so different and what you see is just me," he said.
"I've had the mullet for four or so years, nothing has changed and I think I'll be keeping it."
Competition was suspended midway through the second round, but not before fellow Australian Adrian Buchan won his elimination battle with Brazil's Miguel Pupo.
Matt Wilkinson is still to surf his second round eliminator, while Owen Wright waits in the third round.
Stephanie Gilmore leads the women's standings, with round one yet to begin at the Indonesian break.
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