Jordy Smith Out of El Salvador Pro Due to Injury; Matt McGillivray Steps In
Jordy Smith withdraws from the El Salvador Pro due to injury, with Matt McGillivray named as his replacement. The article details the impact on Smith's rankings and McGillivray's return to the CT.
The World Surf League's El Salvador Pro is set to proceed without one of its prominent figures, Jordy Smith. The veteran South African surfer has officially withdrawn from the upcoming event due to an unspecified injury. Stepping in to fill the void will be fellow South African Matt McGillivray, who will be looking to make an immediate impact.
Key Takeaways
- Jordy Smith has withdrawn from the El Salvador Pro due to injury.
- Matt McGillivray will replace Smith in the competition.
- The withdrawal is a significant blow to Smith's 2026 season rankings.
- McGillivray returns to the CT as an injury replacement.
Smith's Ranking Woes
Jordy Smith's absence from the El Salvador Pro is a considerable setback for his 2026 campaign. Currently sitting at 26th in the overall rankings, Smith has struggled to achieve strong results this season, with his best finishes being two 17th places and a single 9th. This performance puts him in a precarious position regarding qualification for the 2027 Championship Tour. Failure to climb into the top 22 could potentially signal the end of his nearly two-decade-long career on the CT, unless he opts for the Challenger Series at age 38.
Punta Roca: A Missed Opportunity
The powerful right-hand point break of Punta Roca in El Salvador would have offered Smith a prime opportunity to secure a high-scoring result and improve his standing. Last season, Smith experienced a resurgence in his late thirties, culminating in a victory at this very event where he defeated McGillivray in the final. This win ended a seven-year drought without a CT victory and was followed by another win in Margaret River, earning him a spot in the Final 5. Missing the El Salvador Pro places Smith further behind the eight ball, necessitating a string of heat wins in the latter half of the season to maintain his CT tenure.
McGillivray's Return
For Matt McGillivray, this marks a return to the CT as an injury replacement. Last season, he was among the surfers who fell victim to the mid-season cut, despite reaching the finals in El Salvador. He will need to quickly adapt to the new non-elimination format, which has proven challenging for many surfers. McGillivray's first-round opponent will be Ramzi Boukhiam. Should he advance, he is slated to face current ranking leader Italo Ferreira in round two.