Kaua'i's Andy Irons placed second in the Billabong Pro yesterday and moved up to No. 2 in the World Championship Tour ratings.

Irons, the three-time defending world champion, won three heats yesterday before losing to Florida's Kelly Slater in the one-on-one final. It was the first time that Irons and Slater have met in a one-on-one final. Slater holds a record six world championships.

The final day of the contest was completed in 6-foot waves at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

"Kelly's won six world titles and he hasn't done that by fluke," Irons said. "He's a really good competitor and he's definitely the guy to beat."

Irons had the lead for most of the 30-minute final, but Slater won it with a 9.5 score (out of 10) with 35 seconds remaining. Slater's final two-wave score was 16.83 to Irons' 16.56.

"To get one up against Andy is a real feat," Slater said. "He's just been on it for so many years now and we've had a number of heats but I don't think I've beaten him yet. It's a little bit of redemption to get back at him."

Irons said, "It hurts ... it's one thing to blow a final, but to have it so close leaves a pretty sour feeling."

Slater received $30,000 for the win and Irons got $16,000.

Earlier in the day, Irons eliminated his younger brother, Bruce, in the fourth round.

Through six of 11 events on the 2005 world tour, Slater is No. 1 with 5,342 points. Irons entered the contest ranked No. 4 but is now No. 2 with 4,596.

Hale'iwa's Fred Patacchia Jr. was eliminated in the fourth round, and is ranked No. 6 overall with 3,628 points.

The next contest is scheduled to begin Aug. 31 in Chiba, Japan.