The World Tour rookie came second to Rebecca Woods in the Beachley Classic's first heat to progress to round three, while Beachley was left to surf round two today.

"I keep meeting Layne in the first round at this event and it has been good for me so far," Fitzgibbons (pictured) said.

The teenager announced herself on the world stage in the Beachley Classic two years ago when she shocked the then-world champion and host in the opening round.

Fitzgibbons (9.15) had to get a late wave to send Beachley (8.25) to the second round. Woods won the heat with a score of 10.45.

"The condition were a bit junky but it is supposed to pick up over the weekend," Fitzgibbons said. "It was just good to get through," she added.

A lower back problem had kept Fitzgibbons from the surf, limiting her preparation.

"It's something I have to manage. I have had it all year but all I can do for it is rest and that's hard," she admitted.

"I would be in the surf all day every day if I could, but leading up to this (event) I haven't been able to."

Hawaiian veteran Melanie Bartels and reigning two-time women's world champion Stephanie Gilmore recorded the highest heat scores of the first round.

Gilmore beat defending champion Tyler Wright in the opening round, avenging a loss to her in round three of the event last year.

A South Coast prodigy, Wright went on to became the youngest winner of a world title event at 14 - and yesterday she again showed what a bright future she has in outpointing Chelsea Hedges, who will also surf in today's second round.

"I wasn't really focusing on redemption over Wright, but it was more about shaking off the first heat nerves," Gilmore said.

"Chelsea (Hedges) and Tyler are a couple of my favourite surfers, and Tyler did so well here last year, so I guess it felt good to come back with a win after a long break."