Former LIV Golf player Eugenio Chacarra doubled down on his previous criticism of the league after he received a shock invitation to next week’s PGA Tour event.

The Spanish 25-year-old will tee up at the Puerto Rico Open, the alternate event opposite the signature Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. 

He will become one of the first ex-LIV players to tee up in a PGA Tour event since the schism in the men’s game began four years ago. 

Chacarra signed with LIV straight out of college but parted ways with the breakaway tour at the close of the 2024 season after finishing in the league’s “open zone”. 

At the time of his departure, Chacarra made headlines with his “there is only money” interview as he blasted the fact LIV broke a number of promises. 

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Sergio Garcia and Eugenio Chacarra

Sergio Garcia and Eugenio Chacarra

Chacarra was upset LIV never delivered OWGR points to deliver access to majors and was told by former commissioner Greg Norman they wouldn’t face bans or suspensions.

He made it clear that his career goals going forward were to obtain a full PGA Tour card, win majors and represent Europe one day in the Ryder Cup. 

He told a group of reporters, including GOLF, on Tuesday morning that he was “very thankful” to be extended an invitation to the Puerto Rico Open. 

“My goal since I was little is to be on the PGA Tour,” he said. “The next step in my career is to hopefully make it on the PGA Tour and to win on the PGA Tour.”

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Chacarra said he is now more motivated than ever to achieve his childhood dream. 

“I lost a bunch of weight,” he added. “I got my team working really hard. I wake up every day motivated to get better and having goals to achieve, it’s completely changed my mindset

“Like I’ve said, I think I was losing a little motivation to get better out there on LIV at the last year I was there, so it was time for me to move on and start a new pathway in my professional career.

“Obviously LIV didn’t exist when I was little, I grew up watching the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, and that’s what I dream of playing and winning, and that’s what my heart and my ambition was, so we thought it was the best for me to move forward and try to get on the PGA Tour.”

Eugenio Chacarra says he agrees with Patrick Reed

Eugenio Chacarra says he agrees with Patrick Reed

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

A win next week will give Chacarra a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. 

Alternatively, he hopes to be among the leading 10 players in the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour to get his card. 

Former LIV recruit, Patrick Reed, is attempting to go down that route this season and has essentially locked up his card after winning two events from three starts. 

When Reed departed LIV, he said he was “a traditionalist” at heart. 

Chacarra said he agreed with Reed, adding that teeing up on the DP World Tour has given him a taste of what “real golf” is. 

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

“Having a cut, having to grind, having different tee time times,” he said. “Just playing with every week with a lot of players. 

“It’s fun to see where my game is, where I need to improve, what areas I need to improve a little more to be able to be one of the best and get on the PGA Tour quick.”

Subscribe to our Newsletter