Eugenio Chacarra, the 26-year-old ex-LIV golfer, withdrew from US Open qualifying at Shinnecock Hills after finishing a six-man playoff for reserve spots—choosing instead to catch a late flight to Belgium. He said his priority is earning a PGA Tour card throug
At Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York, the qualifying drama reached the kind of pitch that makes golfers stop thinking about anything but the next shot.
On Monday, Eugenio Chacarra—an ex-LIV golfer now aged 26—was in a six-man playoff for the final place in the field for the US Open. The fight wasn’t for the main entry alone. It was for the reserves, a narrow space where a season can swing with a single late twist.
When Caleb Surratt drained a putt for birdie. the remaining five players were left battling for two of the reserve spots. Chacarra, though, walked away from qualifying. For a brief moment. confusion spread as he stepped out of the process—because in a playoff for places in the US Open field. leaving at that point looks like the end of a shot at the sport’s biggest stage.
“Very odd scenario in the 6 for 1 playoff,” a popular golf account, Q Info, wrote on Monday. The post described what had followed Surratt’s birdie. saying that on the first hole Surratt made birdie to win while the other five made par and moved on to play for first and second alternate spots. with both roles “VERY important at this site.” Another comment followed the sight of Chacarra departing: “And Eugenio Chacarra just left. Not sure what happened or he didn’t understand importance of the alternate spots. Absolutely bizarre.”.
Chacarra later explained it wasn’t misunderstanding. In a post on X, he wrote that he withdrew because his goal was to secure his PGA Tour card through the DP World Tour, and that he believed catching his flight to Belgium was the right move for his schedule and preparation.
“I left because my goal it’s (sic) to get my PGA Tour card through the DP Tour and for me to prepare Belgium the right way was to get that flight,” Chacarra wrote.
He added that flying to Europe would cost a day, but it was still the only timing option he had to get there on schedule, rest, and practice the course. He said his flights, and those of his team, were booked for 9:30, and that the playoff 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. ” Chacarra wrote. He also framed the choice as part of the long rebuild after leaving LIV Golf—continuing to push through qualifiers and keep himself in contention. “It was a great fight all day were (sic) 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.”.
The practical stakes behind that decision are clear. Chacarra needs to finish among the top 10 of the DP World Tour money list this year to clinch a PGA Tour card for 2027 that is not already held by a player who has a guaranteed spot.
Rory McIlroy is currently second on the tour’s rankings. but he is not included among the 10 players competing for the card because he already is guaranteed a place. Going into this week’s Soudal Open in Antwerp. Chacarra is 20th on the tour money list. meaning the remainder of the year isn’t just important—it’s urgent.
Eugenio Chacarra LIV Golf US Open qualifying Shinnecock Hills DP World Tour PGA Tour card Belgium Soudal Open Caleb Surratt alternates
Golf is so weird, who just leaves during a playoff??
So he quit because he had a flight to Belgium? Like… Belgium is more important than the US Open? I don’t get it. Sounds like he didn’t realize those alternate spots still matter.
Wait, isn’t LIV stuff already like a done deal? I feel like they’re always leaving events for money stuff. Also the article says six-man playoff for reserve spots but I’m confused—how can reserves swing your whole career if you just bail?
I read the headline and immediately thought he got kicked out or something, but he just bounced to catch a late flight?? That’s kinda insane. If I’m in a playoff at Shinnecock I’m staying put, even if it’s for reserves, like at least try. Maybe he misunderstood the schedule or whoever told him to leave messed up? Either way it’s very odd.