Bells Beach has sprung its first surprise early with Australian surfing star Molly Picklum forced into the elimination round at the Rip Curl Pro.

Compatriot Ellie Harrison, a wildcard entry for this event, won their opening-round heat as competition started on Good Friday in two-to-four-foot conditions.

Picklum has finished no worse than the semi-finals in all four World Surf League rounds so far this season.

Harrison took out the second heat with a score of 13.00, while Picklum posted 9.23 and Vahine Fiero of France finished with 8.76.

One-off entrants such as Harrison loom as a big factor on Friday, given much of the field is combating jet lag.

The event started only five days after the last round in El Salvador.

World No.1 and reigning women’s Bells champion Caitlin Simmers spoke of her tiredness on Thursday at the pre-event media conference.

She faces a potentially tricky round-one heat against fellow American Lakey Peterson and local trials winner Carla Shanahan, who is making her world tour debut and knows the Bells break well.

El Salvado winner Gabriela Bryan kicked off competition with her heat win over Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica and Spaniard Nadia Erostarbe.

After the six women’s heats, the men’s opening round and women’s elimination round are also scheduled for Friday.

Brazilian Italo Fereira is the men’s world No.1 and South African Jordy Smith is coming off an El Salvador win, the first time he has claimed a world tour round since Bells Beach eight years ago.

American Cole Houshmand is the defending men’s champion.