Once again in the midst of the PGA-LIV merger talks stalling, there is another story of a LIV golfer making the switch like Laurie Canter. Although still a hopeful to earning his tour card, Spanish golfer Eugenio Chacarra is making his stand after leaving LIV Golf and criticizing them heavily. As well as growing his career by earning himself a win during the DP World Tour.
Chacarra On LIV Golf
Eugenio Chacarra’s introduction to the world of pro golf was playing on LIV. He was in the no. 2 world amateur ranking when he joined LIV in 2022. He did find some success in the league; he managed to achieve victory in the 2022 Bangkok event. However, not everything was what it seemed. One major point of contention Chacarra had with the league was his position in the OWGR. In an interview with Flushing It, Chacarra continued…
“When I joined LIV they promised OWGR and majors. But it didn’t happen. I trusted them. I was the first young guy, then the others came after I made the decision. But OWGR and majors still hasn’t happened. I saw you last year when they pulled the bid. It’s frustrating…”
Chacarra’s Not Feeling Too Accomplished
Despite Chacarra saying that he is grateful for his time on LIV Golf, he has plenty of other criticisms of the league. A major issue Chacarra has had is how he is not acknowledged despite having an event win under his belt so early into his career.
“I’m a winner and I was never treated like a winner. On the PGA Tour, Ludvig Aberg has one win and I have one win on LIV. He has one win on the European Tour and I have one win 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,” Chacarra said. “What tours I can play on, I have won. Same with him. But he’s the number 6 player in the world and everyone talks about him. But on LIV, I’m the only young guy who’s won, and they never talk about me. They always talk about the same guys.”
This rings true to even casual viewers of the PGA. The roster of big names does have a solid lineup of regular names, usually champions who regularly get into the top 10 for events. However, newcomers semi-regularly make a scene with just their performance alone in events. Just recently, during the Players Championships, rookie Danny Walker was already getting a solid base of support. He was only able to join the event as an alternate after Jason Day withdrew due to illness.
It Comes Back To Money
Something that fans have always pointed to about LIV is that they believe after signing on, the golfers are only there for the money. Fans have been saying this about Dustin Johnson since he signed on. Chacarra’s criticism here stems from how he just doesn’t really care much for the money at all. Sure, it’s nice to be rich, but he’s there for the sport itself.
“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 thirtieth or first, only money. I’m not a guy who wants more money.”
Chacarra’s Aspirations This Year
Recently, Eugenio Chacarra won the DP World Tour’s Hero Indian Open. He is planning on riding victories throughout the year and eventually earning his own PGA Tour Card by the end of the year. He plans on doing this through the Race to Dubai and is determined to do so.
Main Photo Credit: © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
