Hawaiian Andy Irons has re-ignited his push for a fourth world surfing title by winning the 2007 Rip Curl Pro Search event in Arica, Chile.

Irons, who won three world titles from 2002-2004, eliminated Australian ratings leader Mick Fanning in the semi-finals before thrashing American Damien Hobgood in a one-sided decider.

The Hawaiian had made a poor start to 2007, finishing in a tie for 33rd at the season-opening event on the Gold Coast, but has since finished second, fifth and now first to jump to third in the standings behind Fanning and Hobgood.

With competitors able to discard their worst result of the year, Irons was always confident of getting back into contention.

"I was always right there in the world title race," he said.

"I just had one bad contest that I'm throwing away and I can't wait. It's game on."

Australia's Taj Burrow was the biggest loser out of the fourth event on the world tour, with his third round defeat dropping him from second to fourth in the standings.

While Fanning was stopped in the semi-finals, he was able to extend his overall lead.

His third placing means he has now finished in the top three in all four events to date to keep his charge for a first world title well and truly alive.

The Australian is hoping to become the nation's first world champion since Mark Occhilupo back in 1999.

"The result's good in the bigger picture of things," Fanning told AAP.

"It'll look good at the end of the year that third. The main thing this year was to get a really good start.

"I'll be feeling really comfortable going into the second half of the year. Hopefully I can bring (the world title) home."

Hobgood was never in contention in Thursday's final, quickly falling behind and ultimately losing 16.84 to 8.67.

"He put the pressure on early," Hobgood said.

"He's such a good surfer maybe I was thinking too hard out there. I never really got anything going and he kept building. I never really had a chance."

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