Eugenio Chacarra, the former LIV Golf player, captured his first DP World Tour title Sunday at the Hero Indian Open, overcoming a shaky start in the final round.
The 25-year-old Spaniard shot a 1-under 71 to finish at 4 under, two shots clear of Japan’s Keita Nakajima, who posted an even-par 72. What makes this victory particularly significant is that Chacarra was playing on a tournament invitation after being left off Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs roster for the 2025 LIV season.
“I’m very grateful for that opportunity,” Chacarra said, thanking the tournament organizers. “You guys probably changed my life from today so thanks for that.”
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Chacarra’s path to victory wasn’t straightforward. He entered the final round at DLF Golf and Country Club with a one-shot lead but immediately stumbled with a double bogey on the first hole and a bogey on the third, dropping back to even par for the tournament. But he responded impressively, making five birdies over a nine-hole stretch to reclaim the lead, which he held despite a late bogey on the 17th.
“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 know when I play my best I’m one of the best players in the world, I’ve already proved that a million times.”
This isn’t Chacarra’s first professional win – he claimed victory in his fifth LIV start – but his triumph in India comes with valuable Official World Golf Ranking points. He entered the week ranked 309th and is expected to jump inside the top 180.
The win is especially meaningful given Chacarra’s recent comments about his LIV experience. Earlier this year, he expressed frustration with the Saudi-backed circuit, saying, “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. It doesn’t matter if you finish 30th or first, 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.”
Chacarra had also revealed his disappointment with unfulfilled promises: “When I joined LIV, they promised OWGR [points] and majors,” he said in a January interview. “But it didn’t happen. I trusted them.”
Now with a DP World Tour victory under his belt, Chacarra has taken a significant step toward achieving some of those career goals that had seemed out of reach on the LIV circuit.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
