Axed LIV Golf star in talks over return

A LIV Golf star who was released from his team ahead of next season is in talks over a potential return.

Eugenio Chacarra finished his third season with Fireballs GC in the Open Zone and captain Sergio Garcia opted not to renew the Spaniard’s contract.

But the 24-year-old’s time on LIV might not be over yet.

Speaking at the Hong Kong Open, Chacarra insisted his agent is working on securing a deal with a different team.

“My contract is up, and I am out of Fireballs,” he said, “but there are other teams, and my agent is talking and helping me through.”

A decision could be made as soon as next week, with Chacarra – a winner on LIV and the Asian Tour – set to tee it up in the Saudi International.

“I know I have a couple meetings in Saudi, so I will hopefully find out more there,” he added.

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It was reported in September that Chacarra was seeking an exit from the Saudi-backed circuit after joining in 2022.

But, ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, he told bunkered.co.uk that was not the case.

“That’s not true at all,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next year. I wasn’t relegated so I’m still available for any team and maybe Fireballs, we’ll see what Sergio decides.

“I would love to stay, my goal is to stay and even if they don’t pick me, I can still go to LIV Promotions and play my way in, so we’ll see what happens.”

The Promotions Event in December is another route back to LIV for Chacarra, but only one player will earn a place for the 2025 season.

Meanwhile, Chacarra hasn’t ruled out taking his game to other circuits around the world.

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“I’m happy with the way my game is trending, I’m still only 24 and I know I’ll get up there again, whether here (on The International Series and Asian Tour) or LIV Golf or the PGA Tour,” he said.

“It has been a struggle for two years but now I can play again, I can compete as much as possible.”

Chacarra also claimed that his struggles at the beginning of this season could be associated with a hip injury that he’s carried since leaving college.

“I played the first five events this season in pain, and it was hard for me to compete, which was a downer for me – competing against the best in the world injured is very difficult,” he explained.

“But after that I have been playing quite solid and everyone out there knows me, and knows I am a solid player and when my puts go in, I go low.”

Fireballs GC finished 6th in the LIV standings in 2024, while Chacarra finished 39th in the individual standings.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.