Taj Burrow surprised even himself on Friday, winning the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks and jumping out to an early lead on this year's ASP tour after his third contest win in as many months.

But while Burrow stole the headlines with his win, he wasn't exactly the story.

Yes, he's the guy who popped the cork, nabbed the oversized check and waved the trophy. But Taj was but a subplot to the larger movement taking place at this year's Quiksilver Pro. Because two surfers still dominating the conversation even after the event is done and dusted are Dane Reynolds and Jordy Smith.

Both have finally grown into their world tour shoes.

While enduring endless ridicule for failing to meet the impossible expectations heaped upon them, Dane Reynolds and Jordy Smith have quietly manage to climb the ASP ratings during their first two years around the track. They finished a solidly in the 10 and 11 spots last year -- a lofty launching pad for a title shot should either of them be so inclined.

But admitting to wanting a title is apparently sacrilege these days. While plenty of top surfers cooly infer a championship would be nice, admitting that you're going at it 150% apparently makes you a target. So they're all hedging publicly, giving boiler plate sound bites about taking it one event at a time.

Even Burrow, who just nabbed the ratings lead, has refrained from crying wolf again about this being his final push for the crown. The 32-year-old has been making retirement noise for years, and after 11-straight seasons on tour he certainly deserves a break, but he's finding it tough to step away in the middle of his best win streak ever.

But with Burrow, sustainability is always the issue. And the same could be said for everyone who finished equal third or better at Snapper Rocks. Point being, nobody's going to run away with it this year. This season's race will likely come down to the wire, but there will probably be more than one horse in the photo finish.