With LIV Golf’s future in serious doubt, its players must be considering a return to the PGA Tour.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrew their support for the tour this year, leaving them scrambling for investors. If they cannot find new investment for next season and beyond, then they risk folding entirely.
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As it stands, players face a one-year suspension from the PGA Tour following their most recent LIV event, so the likes of Jon Rahm would have to wait 12 months to return if LIV were to fold.
But one former LIV player has laid out the blueprint after leaving the tour early, and he eyes a PGA Tour return.
Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images
Eugenio Chacarra eyes PGA Tour return
Eugenio Chacarra joined LIV Golf in 2022, but after three seasons, he decided to leave the tour and earned membership on the DP World Tour instead. He’s won three times on the tour since joining, and looks dead set to earn a PGA Tour membership.
He spoke to Flushing It, and said he’s had the PGA Tour in his sights all year. Chacarra said, “There’s still a whole season left and a lot of great players, but I’m more hungry than ever, you know, I want to keep getting better. I want to keep playing good, I want to keep seeing my game get better.
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“I mean, I want to keep playing against the best players in the world, and be able to prove to the world and to myself and my team that I’m like them, you know, that I can compete with whoever.
“The PGA Tour, like I always said, it was the main goal, that was the target this season for me. That’s where I dreamt of playing since I was little and I would love to play in that theatre. But I need to stay focused and play good the rest of the season.”
Chacarra has high hopes for the rest of his career. The 26-year-old wants to test his skills against the best players on the biggest stages: “Obviously, in golf, there’s always new goals when you keep playing well.
“I went up to 58 in the world, so obviously now one of the main goals is to finish the year in the top 50 in the world, so I can qualify for all the four majors next year.
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“And the Ryder Cup next year. That won’t be easy, but I can add some new goals for my team so we all get hungry and we all want it. I’ve got a long way to go and I can always get better.
“To able to compete with Scottie, Rory, all the big guys, you need to be 100% in every aspect of your game. I’m playing good, but I have a long way to go. And I’m hungry to keep working.
“I want to get better so bad. I’m working so hard and that’s what I love. I love the game of golf and I love grinding every single day to get better.”
Eugenio Chacarra is playing against Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler this week
Chacarra’s wish has been granted this week, as he’s playing in the Scottish Open alongside Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Jon Rahm. This is the first of two tests against the world’s best, as he’s in the field at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next week.
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The Spaniard is eager for the challenge: “I always want to prove to myself that nothing is impossible, that I want to accomplish what I want and I dream of, and my dream is to be one of the best players in the world, you know?
“I was one of the best amateurs in the world. I was one of the best in college golf. I was one of the best in Europe from a young age. So now my next step is to be one of the best players in the professional world.
“Like I said, I still have a long way to go, but I can definitely see myself playing against them, and I’m excited for the next couple of weeks at the Scottish and British Open. It won’t be easy, but I’m excited to see where my game is at.
“I’ve been a pro, what, 3 and a half years? And I already have 5 wins. Winning is never easy, but I’ve been able to win when I have the chance. So I trust my game and I believe in myself.
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“Just to have the chance of competing at one of the majors is something that we all wanted as a team, and for it to be my first Open is going to be extra special, you know. I know Birkdale’s a tremendous golf course. It’s a great ball striking course, so I’m excited to be there.”
These next two weeks could be massive for this aspiring superstar’s confidence.
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