31-03-2025
Chacarra rises from early setback to claim life-changing victory at Hero Indian Open
Eugenio Chacarra fought back the tears as he reflected on a career-defining victory at the 2025 Hero Indian Open, his maiden DP World Tour title at the DLF Golf and Country Club on just his ninth appearance.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, the Spaniard thanked event sponsor Hero for the opportunity to compete—a chance that, in his own words, "probably changed my life." His path to glory, however, was anything but smooth.
"Obviously I'd like to start by thanking Hero for giving me a chance to compete. I'm very grateful for that opportunity. You guys probably changed my life from today so thanks for that."
With those heartfelt words, Eugenio Chacarra reflected on a career-defining moment as he claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2025 Hero Indian Open. The 25-year-old Spaniard displayed remarkable resilience to recover from a difficult start and surge to a two-shot victory at the challenging DLF Golf and Country Club on Sunday.
Chacarra, making only his ninth DP World Tour appearance, began the final round with a slender one-shot lead. However, an early stumble saw him tumble down the leaderboard after a double bogey on the first and a bogey on the third, leaving him back at level par for the tournament. But instead of faltering, he rallied in style, producing a brilliant birdie burst that swung momentum back in his favour.
Keita Nakajima claimed second place, two shots behind, while Joost Luiten finished a further stroke back in third.
Birdies at the sixth, ninth, 11th, 12th, and 14th propelled Chacarra into a commanding four-shot lead. The highlight of his round came at the 14th, where a seemingly overhit chip from the rough took a fortunate bounce off the pin and dropped straight into the hole for an unlikely birdie. His ability to save par at crucial moments also proved decisive, keeping his challengers at bay.
A minor scare arose on the 17th when his approach shot found the long grass, leading to a bogey. However, with composure and confidence, he safely navigated the final hole to seal a well-earned triumph, finishing at four under par.
It was a day of unforgettable moments, not just for Chacarra but also for Italy's Andrea Pavan, who delivered a stunning hole-in-one at the par-three 12th, using a nine-iron from 189 yards.
Reflecting on his victory, Chacarera acknowledged the challenge he had overcome:
"It was a tough day. We knew it was going to be a long day with a lot of pressure and obviously not having the start I really wanted to. I think I did a great job all week of staying patient. And I know God was helping me today. I got a couple of good bounces (including) that chip on 14. I got some luck that you need to win but very proud."
Confident in his ability, he added: "I know when I play my best, I'm one of the best players in the world, I've already proved that a million times. It's just awesome - it's going to need to sink in but really proud and just happy."
From a shaky start to a resounding finish, Chacarra's breakthrough victory in India was a testament to his talent, patience, and ability to rise under pressure—a win that could indeed change his life.
