Bold, unmissable headline energy: Big performances push finals day at Phillip Island Pro QS 4000, and the drama is just beginning.
CAPE WOOLAMAI, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) – Finals Day for the World Surf League’s Phillip Island Pro QS 4000 is locked in after a dramatic day of competition, with four- to six-foot surf delivering challenging, unruly conditions at Cape Woolamai. The Men’s Round of 32 and Round of 16, along with the Women’s Round of 16, were completed to determine the quarterfinal lineup in both divisions.
This event marks the season finale for both the Asia and Australia/Oceania regions, meaning Challenger Series (CS) qualification was on the line for many competitors. By the end of the day, the Australia/Oceania women and Asia men had their CS spots secured.
For the women’s Australia/Oceania region, Lucy Darragh (AUS) sealed the regional title, while Isla Huppatz (AUS), Charli Hately (AUS), and Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie (AUS) all earned spots in the 2026/2027 Challenger Series. In the Asia region, Bronson Meydi (INA) claimed the QS title, with Kei Kobayashi (JPN), Dylan Wilco-sen (INA), Ketut Agus (INA), and Riaru Ito (JPN) earning CS berths for next season.
Darragh, who dominated with two QS 6000 wins in 2025, has been a consistent threat and continued her ascent today by reaching another Quarterfinal. She opened the Women’s Round of 16 with a standout heat, delivering a 7.25 on a fierce backhand hook to establish an early lead. The NSW surfer is riding a wave of confidence and remains surprised to sit atop the rankings.
“I'm absolutely stoked,” Darragh said. “It’s amazing to finally see swell arrive in real form. There’s a solid bank, a few big sections, and I’m looking ahead to the next rounds. It feels surreal to be leading the rankings. I’m here mostly for practice and to have fun, but I’m hopeful for more big scores. Phillip Island is stunning—great waves and plenty to explore.”
Another headline moment came from Ruby Trew (AUS), though she wasn’t competing for CS qualification, she aimed for a big result in Phillip Island. The Olympian, who represented Australia in skateboarding at Tokyo 2020, posted two impressive rides in the 8-point range on powerful backhand hits during critical sections, tallying a 16.50 two-wave total—the highest of the event so far for the women’s division.
“I had nothing to lose,” Trew explained. “Facing Sai Maniwa, Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie, and Willow Hardy, I knew it would be tough. Phillip Island is always a blast, and I’m stoked to advance another round. This is my first QS year, and traveling halfway across the world under heat-pressure has been a learning curve. Finishing here last year gave me confidence, and I’m hoping to repeat that success this time around.”
Behind Trew, the CS qualification race for women intensified, with Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie charging into the Quarterfinals thanks to a late, forehand-dominated surge that edged Willow Hardy out of CS contention for the moment. Mackenzie clings to the final CS berth, while Hardy—who claimed yesterday’s Phillip Island Pro Junior—remains a potential spoiler.
Asia’s women’s CS pursuit saw Sara Wakita (JPN) advance to a fifth consecutive Finals Day. Following Minami Nonaka’s (JPN) elimination in the Round of 32, Wakita now needs a Final appearance to overtake Nonaka for No. 3 and secure the last CS position for the region.
Although she’s out of CS contention, Mirai Ikeda (JPN) posted the event’s highest women’s single-wave score, a 9.00, for a demanding forehand hit on a huge section that propelled her into the Quarterfinals. Current No. 2 Anon Matsuoka (JPN) continued her strong season, also adding a regional junior title to her credentials.
The Australia/Oceania men’s CS battle remains the most fiercely contested, with six surfers chasing four remaining CS spots. After a severe knee injury earlier in the season, 2023 World Junior Champion Jarvis Earle (AUS) has been steadily climbing back. He claimed two heat wins today, including a clean 8.00 in the Round of 16, securing his first Quarterfinal appearance in nearly a year.
“I managed to grab a couple of solid waves in tricky conditions and advance,” Earle said. “This is my first Finals Day in almost a year, and I’m buzzing to be back. It’s been a winding road—from second place at Krui to Korea’s injury, and finally back here. I’m just grateful for the chance to compete again, not overthinking the CS, just stoked to surf in the rashie and chase the job done.”
Harley Walters (AUS) and Dane Henry (AUS) posted big scores en route to Quarterfinals, while Alister Reginato (AUS) and Xavier Huxtable (AUS) kept their campaigns alive as well. Ben Lorentson (AUS) sat on the edge, waiting for tomorrow’s results to determine what the rest of his year might look like after elimination in the day’s final heat.
The 2026 Phillip Island Pro QS 4000 and Pro Junior events run at Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island, Bass Coast, from February 26 to March 4, 2026. For more information, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
What’s next: Finals Day will crown the QS event’s ultimate winners in both genders and finalize Challenger Series berths for regional competitors. The mix of elite performances and high-stakes qualification creates a compelling conclusion to the season, with opportunities for new stories to emerge and old rivals to redefine their trajectories.
Discussion prompt: Do you think the CS qualification structure adequately rewards consistency across regions, or should regional performance be considered alongside global results? Share your take in the comments and tell us which storyline from today’s action you’d like to see carry into the finals."
