It has been a ride for Eugenio Chacarra over the past few years.
The former world No. 2 amateur signed with LIV Golf and won in his fifth start on the breakaway circuit. But he struggled to maintain that success and went unsigned this past offseason after finishing 39th in LIV’s individual standings. Chacarra criticized LIV for being about “only money,” and much like Laurie Canter, Chacarra is now working to play his way to the PGA Tour.
Chacarra got one step closer in his quest Sunday when he beat Keita Nakajima by two shots to win the DP World Tour’s Hero Indian Open at DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi.
With the win, Chacarra, who has been relying on sponsor exemptions for starts on the DP World Tour after being let go by LIV, now has full membership through 2027. That membership will allow Chacarra to play a full schedule and try to play his way up the Race To Dubai standings in an attempt to secure a PGA Tour card for the 2026 season.
“It means everything,” Chacarra said Sunday after the win. “I decided when I was an amateur to go to another side of golf [LIV]. Coming out [of LIV], I didn’t know where I was going to play but I stayed patient.
“I know when I play my best, I am one of the best players in the world. I’ve already proved that. It’s just awesome. It needs to sink in, but I’m really proud, and I’m just happy.”
Chacarra’s path back is similar to Canter, who just became the first former LIV member to play at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Canter was a founding member of LIV Golf and played on the Saudi-backed circuit until early 2024. The Englishman said he joined the rebel circuit for the financial stability it provided. He played in the first event because it was 25 miles from his home. Canter played for the Cleeks for the entire first season before losing his spot at the end of 2022. He served as an alternate in 2023 and lost in a playoff at the LIV promotions event later that year. He was a LIV wild card early in 2024 before being replaced by Anthony Kim.
After that, Canter made the most of his temporary status on the DP World Tour, winning the European Open last June and the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship in February. Those wins helped move Canter into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings, allowing him to play at the Players.
Canter said he has no ill will toward LIV Golf and is focused on earning his PGA Tour card.
“I think anyone who plays golf would [like to be a PGA Tour member],” Canter said. “You look at the event this week, last week I watched and kind of where those Signature Events are going, I mean, if you could engineer, play well enough to where you’ve got your world ranking where you’ve got Signature Events and majors — what a year that is for a golfer to play those venues with those golfers for that amount of money. It’s incredible.”
While Canter claims he isn’t a trailblazer, there’s no doubt that Chacarra will look to follow in his footsteps from golf rebel to PGA Tour member.
Chacarra was a golfer without a home after being bounced from LIV Golf. But after winning Sunday in India, he has a home circuit and a path to the PGA Tour.
