Warning: Rookie Connor O'Leary is the Real Deal
3:52

Warning: Rookie Connor O'Leary is the Real Deal

As the very first rookie of the 2017 CT season to advance into Round Four, there are a lot of layers to that feat for Connor O'Leary. One, is that just last year the kid was working at a surf shop (between grinding on the Qualifying Series), probably streaming this very event on the television while selling someone a deckpad.

Rookie Connor O'Leary of Australia advanced to Round Four of by winning Heat 9 of Round Three at the Quik Pro Gold Coast, Australia. Qualifying Series surfers warned us about O'Leary's backhand, and they were right to. - WSL / Ed Sloane

Two, O'Leary took down event favorite and perennial World Title contender Julian Wilson in the process. Quickly emerging as a deadly threat to the Tour vets, Connor just seems thankful for the career transition from surf shop to Championship Tour (CT) competitor. Spoiler alert: Connor also beat Owen Wright and Jordy Smith in Round Four, so that makes him the first Rookie of 2017 to make the Quarters now, too.

 

Up next

World Surf League
Download it for free on the App store. Download it for free on Google Play.