Former LIV golfer Eugenio Chacarra caused a stir by withdrawing from a playoff for the backup list at next month's US Open, all because of a late flight to Belgium. The 26-year-old Spaniard was competing for a spot in the field at the third major of the year on Monday and found himself in a six-man playoff for the final place at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York.
When Caleb Surratt sank a birdie putt, the remaining five players were left to battle for two reserve spots. However, Chacarra decided to walk away. He later explained that his priority is earning a PGA Tour card after leaving LIV Golf, and he believes his best chance lies on Europe's DP World Tour rather than relying on player injuries to potentially compete at the US Open.
The move caused confusion, with golf account Monday Q Info tweeting: "Very odd scenario in the 6 for 1 playoff. On the first hole Caleb Surratt made birdie to win. The other five players made par and moved on to play for 1st and 2nd alt. Both VERY important at this site. Ex-LIV golfer Eugenio Chacarra withdrew from US Open qualifying to make a flight to Belgium. And Eugenio Chacarra just left. Not sure what happened or he didn't understand importance of the alternate spots. Absolutely bizarre."
Chacarra clarified his thinking on X: "I left because my goal it's to get my PGA Tour card through the DP Tour and for me to prepare Belgium the right way was to get that flight. When you fly to Europe you lose one day and that was the only chance I had to get there on time to get some rest and practice the course." He added: "I had my flights from me and my team booked at 9:30, the play off finished at 7:50. For me playing majors it's very important but for my stage of my career playing good in Europe to get my pga tour card it's the main goal."
"It was a great fight all day were I learned a lot. I keep putting myself in position to win events or go through qualifiers. I'm still learning and trying to get better," he continued.
The Spaniard needs to finish in the top 10 of the DP World Tour money list this year to secure a PGA Tour card for 2027, provided he does not already hold one. For example, Rory McIlroy is currently second on the tour's rankings but already has a guaranteed card, so he is not among the 10 players vying for a place. Going into this week's Soudal Open in Antwerp, Chacarra is 20th, meaning he has plenty of work to do for the rest of the year.
