Gilmore suffers early defeat

Steph Gilmore.

AAP

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• Gilmore claims fourth world title

WORLD champion Stephanie Gilmore suffered a shock early defeat in the US Open of Surfing, dropping out of contention for the biggest winner's cheque in women's surfing history.

The Australian could post only a 10.30 total score to finish last in her four-woman heat in the third round at Huntingdon Beach in California.

The heat was won by World No.8 Moore, 17, of Hawaii who advanced with a score of 14.94.

The result won't affect Gilmore's chances of retaining the world title - she is leading the standings - as the US Open of Surfing is not on the World Championship Tour.

It is a six-star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event but it boasts a record $US50,000 ($A54,800) winner's cheque after Nike boosted the amount by $US30,000 on Monday.