Former LIV golfer blasts Saudi-backed league saying circuit 'is only money' as he awaits chance to join PGA
A former LIV Golf competitor has blasted the golf circuit for what he believed were unfulfilled promises and potential after three years with the Saudi-backed rebel league.
Eugenio Chacarra, a 24-year-old Spanish golfer, had been persuaded to join the tour that is supported by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
He signed a three-year contract to turn to LIV, rather than going to the Korn Ferry Tour, after being the No. 2 ranked amateur in the world back in 2022.
But now, he seems to have some buyers remorse after being dropped from Sergio Garcia's team - Fireballs GC.
'When I joined LIV they promised OWGR and majors,' said Chacarra to Tom Hobbs, who goes by the name Flushing It on X.
'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.
Former LIV Golf starlet Eugenio Chacarra blasted the league after he was dropped from it
Chacarra says 'nothing changes' after you win on the LIV tour and that 'there is only money'
'I saw you last year when they pulled the bid. It's frustrating, but I'm excited for the new opportunity and to see where my game takes me.
'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. What will change my life is playing in Hawaii and qualifying for the majors, qualifying for the Masters, the Ryder Cup.'
On the LIV tour, Chacarra logged a win in October of 2022 at LIV Golf Bangkok but had not won any events since.
That led to him being dropped and going unsigned. Spanish amateur golfer Luis Masaveu took his place - joining Garcia alongside countryman David Puig and Mexico's Abraham Ancer.
Chacarra now hopes to jump to the PGA Tour. However, he has to wait for that chance as the PGA Tour still has a one-year ban in place for any golfer who competed in LIV events.
The young Spaniard compared himself to a fellow young European golfer - Swede Ludvig Aberg.
'I'm a winner and I was never treated like a winner,' Chacarra said. 'On the PGA Tour, Ludvig Aberg has one win and I have one win on LIV.
Chacarra won a LIV Golf event in Thailand back in 2022, but hadn't won since. He remains the only youngster to win on the circuit, but was dropped from Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC.
Chacarra compared his career to Swedish youngster and rising PGA Tour star Ludvig Aberg
Chacarra hopes to join the PGA Tour, but faces a one-year ban due to his LIV Golf participation
'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. What tours I can play on, I have won. Same with him. But he's the No. 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. I'm not blaming them, they probably know more, but they don't really care about the young guys much.
'So this decision is what's best for me. I'm very thankful for what they've done, but my mind is different now and I want to get to what I was dreaming about when I was little. Because obviously LIV didn't exist when I was growing up. I was watching Tiger Woods winning on the PGA Tour, and I want to do that.'
Chacarra told Flushing It that he plans on competing in the International Series India later this month and hopes to get some sponsorship invites to compete in the DP World Tour.
