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Eugenio Chacarra excited for pressure of playing alongside childhood idol Rory McIlroy
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- Eugenio Chacarra excited for pressure of playing alongside childhood idol Rory McIlroy
Eugenio Chacarra feels like a completely different player than the one who walked off Yas Links in Abu Dhabi with a 39th place finish just a year ago.
And for good reason.
A three-time winner in 2026, Chacarra sits No. 1 in the Race to Dubai standings entering the first of two DP World Tour playoff events.
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"Everyone wants to win the Race to Dubai, and that's obviously a hard goal to accomplish without playing in America and without playing the majors," said Chacarra, who played just one PGA Tour event this year in Puerto Rico . "But I always believed in myself. I believe I can win out here a lot, and I believe I can contend. ...
"It's better to start in first than in second," he added. "I'll take my position."
The reward for his breakout campaign on the top European circuit will be playing Thursday's opening round with Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy — a pair of major champions who sit directly behind him at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the Race to Dubai.
The grouping is set to tee off at 2:50 a.m. ET for those wanting to watch back in the U.S.
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Chacarra told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday that he watched McIlroy growing up and dreamt of playing alongside him one day.
"I get a chance to play with Rory, first time playing with Rory," he said. "I've been watching him play since I was little. He's one of my idols, so super excited for the opportunity."
Image for Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship - Rd 1
Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship - Rd 1
The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship is underway at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The 26-year-old Spaniard played the first two rounds with Justin Rose and Min Woo Lee at Delhi Golf Club in India last month, an event in which he won to leapfrog Reed in the Race to Dubai . Chacarra believes that experience was good preparation for the pressure that will come with playing alongside McIlroy — and his passionate fanbase.
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"Once you go out there, the pressure is on to show that I can compete with them like I've been doing all year," Chacarra said of Reed and McIlroy. "They are both major champions — obviously Rory has won the Grand Slam, so there's a lot I can learn from him. It's a round I'm looking forward to. I know if I play my game, I can compete against them."
The Oklahoma State grad would be just the third player from Spain to win the Race to Dubai. He was asked if he sensed any danger going out with more experienced players — could the situation evolve where the round feels like match play with somebody else?
He responded that he's treating the opening round — and the tournament — like a marathon and not a sprint.
"I'm not really focused on the Race to Dubai, I'm focused on playing my best, getting better and winning," said Chacarra. He added that he's treating Abu Dhabi like any other tournament despite its significance as a playoff event. "If I can play the way I've been playing all year, I like my chances on Sunday."
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In addition to India, Chacarra found himself in the winner's circle in Italy and the Netherlands this year. He copped to enjoying the one-shot victory over Oliver Lindell at the KLM Open in June more than the other two because of what it signified.
"I knew if I won one, I could win a couple more," he said during his press conference. "I would say that one was the most special — it was 18 holes, a lot of wind, a lot of things going that I couldn't control to. And to hit those two shots under pressure, to hit a putt and to the flag, almost 20 inches, it was really nice to see."
As much as he's looking forward to competing with the world's best, Chacarra did recognize that Thursday's grouping provides him an excellent opportunity to learn.
"I'm going to focus on myself," he said when asked about how he would keep his composure alongside McIlroy and Reed. "I know I can compete with anyone with how I'm playing. I'm just excited to compete and to learn as much as possible."
