In a world where the LIV Golf League was supposed to revolutionize the sport, very few dared to walk away from its gold-plated promises. But now, two names stand out in a slow but noticeable trickle of dissent: Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, and Eugenio Chacarra, a young Spaniard who, at just 25, has decided that money alone isn’t worth the silence.
From LIV Golf Millionaire to New Motivation
Koepka’s exit was diplomatic, handled quietly just before Christmas in what LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil described as “amicably and mutually agreed.” That sort of phrasing is meant to soften headlines, suggesting everyone shook hands and walked away with smiles. But Chacarra’s departure was different. Raw. Disenchanted. And, in many ways, telling.
Having joined LIV Golf in its inaugural season and notched a win early on, Chacarra ended his tenure nearly $7 million richer, but clearly, not fulfilled. When his three-year stint with Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC came to a close, it wasn’t extended. And with that, Chacarra dropped the corporate gloss and spoke bluntly: LIV Golf made promises that didn’t materialize.
World ranking points? Never delivered. Major championship access? Not a chance. Ryder Cup potential? Off the table. Despite the riches, Chacarra found himself in a cage lined with gold.
“I Wanted to Fight for Cuts”
“I wanted to play more tournaments. I wanted to fight for cuts,” he told reporters. His voice wasn’t bitter; it was honest. At the heart of it, Chacarra simply wanted to compete. The LIV Golf format of just 13 events per year didn’t offer enough opportunities for someone wired to chase goals and grow.
The desire to return to traditional competition saw Chacarra pivot to the DP World Tour. A win at the Hero Indian Open earned him full-time playing rights. Now, he’s laser-focused on breaking into the PGA Tour, a goal from childhood, now revived with adult clarity. Though he narrowly missed out on a PGA Tour card in 2025, he’s still in striking distance.
“I Have Everything I Need to Be No.1”
“I think I have everything I need to be the No.1 player in the world,” he declared with unshaken self-belief. And there’s the heart of the matter: not every player was built for the LIV model. Some crave something bigger than paydays, legacy, grind, and growth.
Chacarra’s story serves as a rare and riveting counter-narrative: not every defection to LIV is forever. Not every star sees dollar signs as the final chapter. And in Chacarra’s case, the journey back toward golf’s traditional pinnacles might just be more compelling than any prize money ever offered.
