Both Bruce and Andy Irons were upset at perfect Pipeline on Saturday--their losses were considered an upset because both are former Pipeline Masters. In fact, Andy's got four of the Samurai helmets stashed somewhere.

But when conditions are as perfect as they were today, Pipeline is no mystery. And when it's not a mystery their home field advantage disappears. Suddenly it becomes about playing the hand your dealt, and the fact is Damien Hobgood and Taj Burrow have been spending a lot more time at the ASP poker table of late.

Andy lost to Damien Hobgood, while Taj Burrow got the better of Bruce today. Go ahead and chalk those losses up to rust growing on the Irons. Both retreated from competition in 2009.

Bruce won't be coming back, but Andy Irons has vowed to return to ASP competition next year. The former 3-time world champion is certainly looking refreshed, but if he's to take anything away from today's loss, it should be that nothing is going to come easy. After all, Andy Irons is always at his best when there's a good challenge in front of him.