Pancho Sullivan was surfing for much more than just points or prestige at the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing yesterday.

He was surfing to help his daughter get healthy.

Sullivan was one of the standouts of the day as the O'Neill World Cup ran the completion of its second round and start of the third round in wave-face heights of 8 to 12 feet at Sunset Beach.

Sullivan won his third-round heat with a two-wave score of 15.47 — the best score among the Hawai'i surfers yesterday. It means he gets to surf another day, which means another chance to help his daughter.

His youngest daughter, 3-month-old Kehau, was recently diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

She will soon have to undergo a series of heart surgeries in California. Any prize money Sullivan can earn will go toward his daughter's medical bills.

"It's really, really expensive. Even with insurance, we're looking at least $300,000 to $400,000," he said. "We're just really appreciative of all the love and support that has been coming in."

A benefit fundraiser for Kehau is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. at Breakers Restaurant in Hale'iwa.

Among other storylines from yesterday's action.

• Maui's Dusty Payne stayed in contention for a spot on the 2010 ASP World Tour by advancing through his third-round heat.

Payne is currently ranked No. 18 on the 2009 World Qualifying Series. He needs to get to No. 15 to earn a place on the prestigious ASP World Tour.

The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing is the final event of 2009 for surfers to qualify.

"I'm trying to just focus on myself," said Payne, 20. "If you think too much about the ratings and watching what all the other guys are doing, that's when you can lose focus."

• Joel Centeio's successful run through the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing finally came to a halt. He lost his third-round heat yesterday, ending a streak of nine consecutive heat wins.

Centeio won seven straight heats last week en route to winning the Reef Hawaiian Pro — the first event in the Triple Crown series.

Because several other contenders lost in the early rounds of the O'Neill World Cup, Centeio is still the leader in the Triple Crown ratings.

• Top Hawai'i surfers Andy Irons and Fred Patacchia Jr. also were eliminated.

• Australia's Mick Fanning, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, advanced to the fourth round. He skipped the Reef Hawaiian Pro, so yesterday was his first action in the Triple Crown.