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- The Spanish golfer took a first round lead in Gurugram as he begins post-LIV Golf journey
GURUGRAM: As he begins his post-LIV golf journey, talented Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra has set his sights on a second title on The International Series and Asian Tour.
He began in the best possible fashion on Thursday with the first-round clubhouse lead at a star-studded International Series India presented by DLF.
With a host of big names including Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann unable to finish their rounds because of a fog delay in the morning, Chacarra hit the front with a four-under 68 that does not tell half the story.
After starting on 10, the 24-year-old was sitting on four over after a triple bogey on 13 and bogey on 14. But he battled back in sensational fashion on the testing Gary Player-designed course with seven birdies, an eagle and one dropped shot.
Summing up a visibly positive outlook — on and off the course — since his exit from Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC at the close of last season, he said: “I think I did a good job staying calm. I worked a lot on that in the last couple months, and with all that was going on, I think my mind’s really well.
“I am enjoying my golf again. I mean, I finished the season with fifth- and sixth-place finishes (International Series Qatar and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers), and I also finished 14 at the Hong Kong Open (also on The International Series).
“So I know I was playing great, and since I put my mind better, I think my game is great, and I am having fun again, playing golf. I think I did a good job with my mental coach. I just focus shot by a shot, and then get myself in good position, hit good shots and see some balls go in.”
Chacarra, who won the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok in 2022, months after turning pro, confirmed he will be aiming for a shot at the PGA Tour via Q-School in September.
The one-time winner on The International Series, at the 2023 St Andrew’s Bay Championship, loves his time on the Asian Tour and is eager for more success.
“My goal is to get ready for September, for Q-School in the US. That is where I wanted to play and dreamed of playing since I was little. I had a lot of success in college in the US, and I love playing golf in the US. I still live there.
“That’s where I plan to be. I just need to work very hard every day. I love the Asian Tour, they’ve always been great to me. I love coming back here. I love playing in Asia. I love how the Asian Tour is developing.”
He added: “So I am going to play as much as I can. I know I am going to play the Kolon Korea Open, Macau (International Series Macau presented by Wynn). I love it out here, and I love what the Asian Tour does.
“I know when I am playing well, I am one of the best players in the world. So I just need to focus, get healthy, and play as much as I can, work hard and take every chance I get.”