The reboot of Eugenio Chacarra’s professional career took flight in India on Sunday.
Chacarra, the first big-name amateur to sign directly with LIV Golf in 2022, took a huge step in his desired reintegration with the legacy tours by winning the DP World Tour’s Hero Indian Open by two strokes at DLF Golf & Country Club in New Delhi, securing a DP World Tour card through 2027.
“I know when I play my best I’m one of the best players in the world, I’ve already proved that a million times,” said the 25-year-old Spaniard, a three-time professional winner on three different tours. “It’s just awesome – it’s going to need to sink in but really proud and just happy.”
Chacarra, the former world No. 2 amateur and star at Oklahoma State, caused a stir when at age 21 he eschewed his final year of college and pending status he would have had on the Korn Ferry Tour and signed a three-year contract with LIV Golf ahead of its inaugural season.
While Chacarra had immediate professional success – winning his fifth start on LIV in Bangkok in 2022 and a year later the Asian Tour’s International Series event at St. Andrews Bay in Scotland – and collected what he called “life-setting” money, he soured on the rival league, citing unfulfilled promises regarding access to world ranking points and major championships.
“I’m very grateful for that opportunity. You guys probably changed my life from today so thanks for that. It means everything. I decided when I was an amateur to join the other side of golf but now jumping out and not knowing what I was going to be able to play. But I’ve stayed patient.”
Eugenio Chacarra
Chacarra left LIV when his contract with Sergio García’s Fireballs team was not renewed at the end of 2024 and he stated his desire to prove himself in golf’s traditional meritocracy and reach the PGA Tour in an interview with Tom Hobbs of Flushing It Golf that was posted on social media.
“When I joined LIV, they promised OWGR and majors. But it didn’t happen,” he said in January. “I trusted them. I was the first young guy, then the others came after I made the decision. …
“I see what it’s like to win on the PGA Tour and how your life changes. How you get major access and ranking points. On LIV, nothing changes, there is only money. … I’m not a guy who wants more money. What will change my life is playing in Hawaii and qualifying for the majors, qualifying for the Masters, the Ryder Cup.
“I’m excited for the new opportunity to see where my game takes me.”
Due to suspension rules that prohibit him playing in any PGA Tour-sanctioned events for a year after his last LIV event, golf has taken Chacarra to the Asian and European circuits to build up his portfolio. He’s posted a string of strong finishes since the fall including a T5 in the Asian International Series event at the same DLF course in February.
The Hero Indian Open was his second DP World Tour start of 2025 having tied for 20th in the Magical Kenya Open last month. With no official status, Chacarra was playing in India on a sponsor’s invitation.
“Obviously I’d like to start by thanking Hero for giving me a chance to compete,” he said. “I’m very grateful for that opportunity. You guys probably changed my life from today so thanks for that.
“It means everything. I decided when I was an amateur to join the other side of golf but now jumping out and not knowing what I was going to be able to play. But I’ve stayed patient.”
Taking a one-shot lead into the final round over defending champion and former No. 1 amateur Keita Nakajima of Japan, Chacarra coughed it up with a double and bogey on his first three holes Sunday before making five birdies in a nine-hole stretch from holes 6 to 14 to take charge with a four-shot lead and eventually win by two over Nakajima. His last birdie on 14 was a chip-in from thick rough that slammed into the pin and dropped instead of racing off the green and leading to a likely bogey or worse.
“It was a tough day, we knew it was going to be a long day with a lot of pressure and obviously not having the start I really wanted to,” he said. “I think I did a great job all week of staying patient. And I know God was helping me today. I got a couple of good bounces (including) that chip on 14. I got some luck that you need to win, but very proud.”
In his short time since leaving LIV in the fall, Chacarra has climbed from outside the top 500 in OWGR to a career high of 168th after his Hero India victory. He told Flushing It Golf in January how frustrating it was to watch his peers like former Oklahoma State teammate Viktor Hovland climb to the top of the world ranking while he languished in relative anonymity despite his success on LIV Golf.
“I’m a winner and I was never treated like a winner,” Chacarra said in January. “On the PGA Tour, Ludvig Åberg has one win and I have one win on LIV. He has one win on the European (DP World) Tour and I have one on the International Series on the Asian Tour. So we have similar careers, but he has way more experience and plays way more big tournaments, but we have the same wins.
“We have performed similar. What tours I can play on, I have won. Same with him. But he’s the No. 6 player in the world and everyone talks about him. But on LIV, I’m the only one who’s won, and they never talk about me. They always talk about the same guys.”
Åberg has since won his third pro event in the signature Genesis Invitational and is currently No. 5 in the OWGR. Chacarra hopes his own third win thrusts him into the conversation and confirms his confidence that he’s one of the world’s top young stars.
Scott Michaux