Burrow takes out Bobby, Gold Coast title

Bobby Martinez’s run through the opening contest of the 2010 ASP World Tour ended on Friday as the Santa Barbara native fell to eventual champion Taj Burrow in their semifinal heat.

Burrow went on to claim the Quiksilver Pro title at Snapper Rocks in Australia, defeating South Africa’s Jordy Smith in the final.

Martinez’s result at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast has seen him take the ASP World No. 3 position going into the next event at Bells Beach. (ASP/Kirstin Scholtz)

Martinez put up a two-wave score of 13.00 to Burrow’s 15.67 in the semifinal, surfed in deteriorating conditions at the right-hand point break.

“It’s disappointing to finish when it’s windy like this today,” Martinez said. “We all want to surf when it’s glassy, and I’m disappointed that we have to finish today. I did my best to mix it up out there, but it’s very challenging out there on your backhand today.”

Still, the result matches Martinez’s best career showing at the season-opening contest, setting the table for another quality season on the world tour. Martinez and Ventura’s Dane Reynolds are currently tied in the season ratings after the first event. The tour remains on the Australian continent, heading to the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in three weeks.