New Zealand surfer Paige Hareb placed last in her opening heat at the US Open in California as she fights to keep a place on the ASP women's world championship tour.
In small surf at Huntington Beach, Hareb scored 10.56 out of a possible 20 in her heat, a score that was beaten by Australian Sally Fitzgibbons (13.93) and Brazil's Jaqueline Silva (12.87).
Hareb now needs to win her second round heat to remain in contention this week at the seventh and final round of the tour.
The New Plymouth surfer sits in a share of 10th place on the tour standings and it is the top 10 overall who are automatically retained for the 2013 tour.
NZN