Sergio Garcia’s Ex-LIV Golf teammate Eugenio Chacarra calls out Saudi-backed tour over money
Eugenio Chacarra is leaving LIV Golf to pursue a PGA Tour card. On his way out, he gave an honest assessment of the league.
Eugenio Chacarra has had enough of LIV Golf and its big paydays.
The 24-year-old Spaniard, who played on Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC team but was not retained, told the social media account Flushing It that LIV did not deliver on its promises.
“When I joined LIV, they promised [Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points] and majors,” Chacarra said to Flushing It.
“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. 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.”
Chacarra left Oklahoma State early in the spring of 2022 to sign a three-year contract with LIV Golf. At the time, he was a budding young star and an essential signee for the Saudi-backed league. That summer, LIV signed plenty of elder statesmen, such as Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Martin Kaymer, but they also needed young blood. Chacarra fit that mold beautifully as he longed to have a long, prosperous career in professional golf. It seemed like a perfect match.
But now the Spaniard wants to vie for a PGA Tour card instead.
“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,” Chacarra said.
“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.”
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf League has more capital than anyone could ever imagine. The Public Investment Fund (PIF), which bankrolls LIV, has more than $700 billion in assets and has invested well over $1 billion into the startup league.
Dozens of players received hefty paydays to join, and every LIV event features a $20 million purse, with $4 million going to the winner. Chacarra took home a winner’s check once, doing so in Bangkok in October 2022.
“I’m thankful for everything LIV has given me. I’m 24 years old, and my life is set,” Chacarra added.
“I don’t know if it will work out for the best or not, but I know this is what my heart tells me is right and it works for my motivation to wake up and grind and get better, and to say I can be a PGA Tour player one day.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.