Eugenio Chacarra, the talented young golfer from Spain, has made headlines recently following his dramatic departure from LIV Golf, only to return swiftly to the competitive arena. After two tumultuous years with the Saudi-backed league, Chacarra’s contract came to an end last month, and he didn’t hold back his feelings about the terms of his exit.
Once hailed as the future of LIV Golf, Chacarra found himself at odds with the league’s promises. "I see what it’s like to win on the PGA Tour and how your life changes," he shared with Flushing It. "On LIV, nothing changes, there is only money. I’m not a guy who wants more money. When I joined LIV, they promised OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) and majors. But it didn’t happen. I trusted them." His comments reflect the disappointment felt among many players who have yet to see those promises fulfilled.
Upon leaving LIV Golf, Chacarra found himself at the crossroads of his career. The league had become polarized, particularly as the PGA Tour enforced suspensions on its players who participated in LIV events. This meant Chacarra wouldn’t be able to compete on the US circuit until at least September 2025. Instead, he opted for the Asian Tour, where he has found renewed enthusiasm.
This week, Chacarra took part in the Asian Tour’s $2 million International Series India event, quickly setting the pace as one of the early leaders. He began strong, posting four-under-par (68) during the first day at the DLF Golf Club, where notable figures like US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau are also competing. "I’m just doing my thing," he stated, expressing satisfaction with his game. "I thought it was time for me to pursue my dreams since I was little to try to get on the PGA Tour."
Chacarra’s decision to transition to the Asian Tour is driven by his ambition to secure PGA Tour membership. "Right now, I have a lot of goals, and I want to succeed, and I’m really motivated again to wake up and work as hard as I can to complete my goals," he said, clearly rejuvenated by the change of scene. Despite the setbacks earlier, he feels excited about competing again and is grateful for the opportunity provided by the Asian Tour.
Interestingly, Chacarra has also softened his stance toward LIV Golf since his controversial departure. Shortly after airing his grievances, he made statements supportive of the league, stating, "I am very, very, very thankful for LIV. I am a LIV Golf fan... I think it was time for me to move on and I think it’s already passed in my mind." These quotes indicate his acknowledgment of how much LIV Golf has helped shape his career, even if his need to evolve led him away from it.
Chacarra demonstrated resilience on the course, bouncing back from early choking moments during his round at the Asian Tour event, where he initially suffered from bad luck, including the unfortunate bounce costing him triple-bogey. Undeterred, he recovered impressively, ending on his current lead. "I did a great job staying calm. I know my game is there...
I’m enjoying golf again, I’m happy on the course and really enjoying the game of golf," he remarked, underlining his commitment to competing at the highest level.
While the golf world continues to grapple with the fragmentation between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, Chacarra’s ability to navigate this crossroads speaks volumes about his determination as he charts his own path. It remains to be seen what his future holds within the competitive structures of golf, but for now, he seems to be enjoying his game once again and focused on realizing his ambitions.
With his pragmatic approach and renewed motivation, Chacarra is poised to continue making waves on the Asian Tour, seeking to reclaim his place among the world’s best golfers. His experience serves as both caution and inspiration to fellow players grappling with the volatility of professional golf today.