The 21-year-old beat two past and present WSL world champions on finals day, first seeing off Australia's Tyler Wright before overcoming Moore in an all-Hawaiian final.

Whereas Wright rode the best wave of their semi-final, scoring 8.83 for a classy route through a barrel, Jones Wong was more consistent and advanced with an advantage of more 4.24 points.

Then, in a final where Moore struggled to get going, Jones Wong received scores of 6.67 and 7.67 for barrel rides which each ended with the surfer emerging from the mist, arms extended in celebration.

Victory was "the best moment of my life," Jones Wong said.

"I never thought I would accomplish this."

Jones Wong is the first wildcard to win a women's WSL Championship Tour event since Wright achieved the feat in 2010.

It means she leads the early standings, and has also been granted a wildcard for the second event of the season at Sunset Beach, also on Oahu in Hawaii.

That event begins on February 11, if conditions allow.