Jake Marshall of Encinitas, California, captured the biggest victory of his professional career, while Australia's Sierra Kerr completed an emotional comeback from illness to win her first World Surf League Challenger Series event as the 2026 Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico concluded in Huntington Beach. The victories moved both surfers to No. 1 in the Challenger Series standings, strengthening their bids for qualification to the 2027 Championship Tour.
For Marshall, the victory represented years of persistence finally paying off.
The 27-year-old had reached major finals before but had never won a World Surf League event at any level. Surfing in front of family and friends just a short drive from his hometown, Marshall defeated two-time US Open champion Kanoa Igarashi in a tightly contested men's final, producing an 8.00-point ride late in the heat to erase the deficit and secure a 14.77-14.07 victory.
World Surf League
"I can't believe it," Marshall said after the win. "This year has been one of the hardest competitive years of my life, and to win this event means so much to me. To have my family and friends here, it's the best feeling in the world."
The result was especially significant considering Marshall had previously finished runner-up at the US Open in 2021. This time, he left Surf City USA with the trophy and the Challenger Series points lead.
On the women's side, Kerr authored one of the week's most compelling stories.
The 19-year-old Australian defeated reigning World Junior champion Isla Huppatz in an all-Australian final to claim her first Challenger Series victory. While the win alone was noteworthy, the road back made it even more meaningful.
Earlier this year, Kerr stepped away from competition after being diagnosed with Lyme disease involving neurological and gastrointestinal complications. Her return has been remarkable. After finishing runner-up at the World Junior Championships and defeating Championship Tour veteran Johanne Defay in the semifinals, Kerr completed the comeback by winning one of surfing's most prestigious events.
"It's been the hardest year ever," Kerr said. "There were a lot of times where I didn't know what the future would hold. A lot of times that no one saw the tears, the pain, the not being able to get out of bed. Now, I'm just so grateful."
World Surf League
Although they fell just short of victory, both finalists left Huntington Beach with significant momentum.
Huppatz continued her rapid rise by reaching her first Challenger Series final, reinforcing her status as one of Australia's brightest young talents. On the men's side, Igarashi narrowly missed a third US Open title but demonstrated the form that has made him one of the sport's most consistent competitors, advancing through a field that included Griffin Colapinto and Lucca Mesinas before finishing second.
Beyond the individual champions, the US Open reshaped the Challenger Series standings.
Marshall and Kerr now occupy the top positions in their respective rankings after the opening two events of the qualification campaign, while Huppatz, Igarashi, Hayden Rodgers and former Championship Tour surfer Deivid Silva all strengthened their positions as the race for 2027 Championship Tour qualification begins to take shape.
The US Open has long served as one of competitive surfing's signature events, but this year's edition carried added significance as the second stop on the 2026-27 Challenger Series calendar. With Brazil and Portugal still ahead, every result is becoming increasingly valuable for surfers chasing one of the coveted Championship Tour positions.
Marshall's long-awaited breakthrough and Kerr's inspiring return ensured Huntington Beach delivered defining moments for both athletes—and potentially for the season itself.
What's Next?
The World Surf League shifts its attention to the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, where Championship Tour surfers will take on the powerful waves of Teahupo'o beginning Aug. 8. Meanwhile, Challenger Series competitors will prepare for the next qualification events in Brazil and Portugal as the battle for 2027 Championship Tour spots continues.