Indian Open Golf: Eugenio Chacarra rewrites his story

Gurugram: “I know when I play my best, I’m one of the best players in the world,” declared Eugenio Chacarra. He had a lot to process after becoming the first Spaniard to win the Hero Indian Open. But after tapping in for his victorious par on the 18th for a closing round 71 at DLF G&CC, he knew it was a fitting reply to the doubters.
Playing on a sponsor’s invite, the Madrileño grabbed the bull of a course by its horns, and in extreme conditions, managed to dictate his own story with a four-under total and a two-stroke triumph over 2024 champion Keita Nakajima.
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It was the worst possible introduction to the final-day chapter. Beginning at three-under with a one-stroke lead, Chacarra conceded a double bogey immediately. A bogey on the third saw him back to a level-par total. Defending champion Keita Nakajima, meanwhile, dropped two.
With all the stumbling, the leaderboard of the $2.25 million European Tour event jumbled up again. Nearer to the turn, it was Swede Jens Dantorp who sunk a monster birdie putt to jump to two-under and sole lead. Dutchman Joost Luiten was making his move quietly. But the bad bounces on the rock-hard undulating greens, and the stop-start swirling wind had everybody guessing and praying.
Aggression meant punishment, but Chacarra’s driving was accurate, and iron-play had the perfect spin. “I hit the ball amazing all week and I’m just proud of my hard work,” he said.
His first birdie came on the sixth. Cue a shake of the fists, as he was warming up to the conditions. On the par-four ninth, Chacarra sank a short right-to-left putt after a brilliant approach to move back into a share of the lead. More on the 11th, with a 15-foot double-breaker. And then, an 18-ft birdie putt—he was suddenly two clear.
Of course, you need the luck of a champion. On the treacherous 14th, Chacarra saw his hit-or-miss chip from the rough race straight into the hole after hitting the flagstick for an unlikely birdie. Or was it planned? “That hole was pivotal. I told my caddie if it hits the pin, it has a chance to go in. If not, we're going to go either way to the same spot. But obviously, I executed it perfectly.”
Suddenly, there was a four-shot lead after five birdies in nine holes. A late bogey on the quarry 17th saw it cut to three. There was still time for a swing, but Nakajima failed to convert his difficult eagle chance. For the man in the flaming orange tee, it was two putts to heaven after the fires of purgatory. And a handsome purse of $382,500.
Once No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, the Oklahoma State alumnus was lured by LIV Golf to turn pro in 2022. He won their Bangkok event in just his fifth start. In 2023, he won the longest play-off in the history of the Asian Tour on the 10th extra hole at the St Andrews Bay Championship. But a career bump in the shape of a difficult hip injury, and an unceremonious cut from the LIV Fireballs team last year left him hurt and bewildered.
“I decided when I was an amateur to go over to the other side of golf, and jumping out I didn’t know where I was going to play. But I stayed patient. I know I can beat the best.”
He beat the ‘beast of the East’ too. And now, a chance to take a different route to the PGA Tour after his LIV detour.
Top Indians at T-17th
The top Indians at T-17th were Veer Ahlawat (75) with Om Prakash Chouhan (71) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (73). Bhullar would have finished T-10 if not for a three-stroke drop in the last three holes.
Final scores:-4: Eugenio Chacarra (ESP) 70-70-73-71; -2: Keita Nakajima (JPN) 74-66-74-72; -1: Joost Luiten (NED) 69-73-74-71; Par: Jens Dantorp (SWE) 71-71-73-73.