Eugenio Chacarra is one step closer to securing his PGA Tour card.
The former LIV golfer, who criticized the league earlier this year after not re-signing, won the DP World Tour's Hero Indian Open on Sunday. He was playing on a sponsor exemption, and with the victory earns full status on the DP World Tour for the remaining of the 2025 season, which means he now has a better shot at earning a PGA Tour card via the season-long Race to Dubai standings.
"I'm very grateful for that opportunity," Chacarra said. "You guys probably changed my life from today so thanks for that. 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.
“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."
The moment Eugenio Chacarra became the FIRST Spanish player to win the Hero Indian Open 👏#HIO25pic.twitter.com/MxHhb5T6Zc
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 30, 2025
After leaving LIV, Chacarra revealed it was his goal to play on the PGA Tour. Signed out of Oklahoma State in 2022, Chacarra was with the league through its infancy, winning LIV Golf Bangkok in his fifth LIV event. He viewed his career similar to Ludvig Aberg's but saw how differently the two were treated on different tours. That on top of unfulfilled promises, a frustrated Chacarra sounded off earlier this year.
“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.
"It’s frustrating, but I’m excited for the new opportunity and to see where my game takes me.”
Chacarra was the first former LIV player who openly bashed the league after leaving. It painted a target on his back, and Sunday he took a big step toward proving his worth.
The 25-year-old became the first Spaniard to win the Indian Open. He finished at 4 under at DLF Golf and Country Club, beating Keita Nakajima by two shots. Only three players finished under par for the week.
Chacarra was 3 over thru three holes after starting double bogey-par-bogey, but five birdies through the middle of his round righted the ship, and he found the winner's circle in his ninth DP World Tour start.
Now, with his DP World Tour card in tow, his focus can turn to finding a way to finish highly enough in the Race to Dubai standings to earn his PGA Tour card.
"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," Chacarra said. "It’s just awesome ... it’s going to need to sink in but really proud and just ...
