While much of the golfing world focuses on the Arnold Palmer Invitational, another significant chapter is quietly unfolding at the Puerto Rico Open, where former LIV Golfer Eugenio Chacarra will make his long-awaited return to a standalone PGA Tour event.
A Career That Took the Road Less Traveled
Chacarra’s professional journey has followed a path few could have predicted. In 2022, he turned professional as the World No. 2-ranked amateur and immediately joined LIV Golf, becoming one of the most prominent young players to align with the breakaway league. The gamble delivered instant validation. In his debut season, he secured an individual victory and quickly established himself as a key contributor for Fireballs GC. Over the next two seasons, he posted individual standings of 16th, 32nd, and 39th.
However, momentum proved difficult to sustain. Injuries disrupted his rhythm, and after finishing in the Open Zone in 2024, Fireballs GC chose not to retain him for the 2025 season. His final LIV appearance in August 2024 triggered a mandatory one-year suspension from PGA Tour competition. While sidelined from the Tour, Chacarra remained active through sponsor exemptions on the DP World Tour, steadily rebuilding his competitive foundation.
Rediscovering “Real Golf” After LIV Golf Stint
Competing across Europe in traditional 72-hole formats with cuts provided a different competitive environment. Chacarra described the experience as offering more of what he considers “real golf”, navigating cuts, rotating tee times, and grinding through deep international fields week after week. The structure demanded consistency and resilience, elements essential for long-term success at the highest level.
The results reflected tangible progress. In 2025, he captured the Hero Indian Open title and climbed to 27th in the Race to Dubai Rankings. A solo third at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, along with top-25 finishes at the AfrAsia Mauritius Open and Dubai Invitational, reinforced his upward trajectory. Though he withdrew from the Magical Kenya Open in February to focus on mental health, a decision he acknowledged was not easy, his overall performance trend has been steady and competitive.
Puerto Rico: A Crucial Opportunity
Now, in March 2026, Chacarra steps into the Puerto Rico Open, his first official PGA Tour start since departing LIV. Unlike co-sanctioned events such as the Genesis Scottish Open, this tournament is under the PGA Tour banner alone, raising the stakes considerably. A victory would secure two years of PGA Tour playing privileges, instantly achieving the goal he has pursued since childhood. Alternatively, he remains in contention for one of 10 PGA Tour cards available through the DP World Tour rankings.
Chacarra joins a growing list of former LIV players navigating their way back to the PGA Tour, including James Piot and Brooks Koepka, through the Returning Member Program. For the Spaniard, however, this moment carries a deeply personal dimension. The grind he now embraces, cuts, pressure, and week-to-week accountability, represents not only a professional recalibration but a reaffirmation of long-term ambition.
