Bryson mania takes over but Chacarra is the clubhouse leader
TNN | Jan 31, 2025, 08.30 AM IST
GURUGRAM: It seemed the much-awaited tournament started at the driving range.
Fans flocked to the site to watch the reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau in action before his afternoon tee time. Little Annika got a fist pump from her hero when she approached him for an autograph, Akash was searching for a vantage point from where he could see the star attraction wield his driver, the young parents busy with greetings recalling at which golf course they had met last time, the older ones busy discussing the trajectory of the shots.
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When Bryson walked uphill to the houseful opening hole of the International Series presented by DLF with Joaquin Niemann, LIV golf's No. 2, and Asian Tour Order of Merit John Catlin, it seemed the Pied Piper had come to town. And with the heavy thwack of metal, it all started.
Or did it?
A former LIV player little-known in these parts, Spain's Eugenio Chacarra, had already taken the reins after finishing his morning journey with a 4-under 68 round.
Once No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf rankings, during college life at Oklahama State, he turned pro in 2020 as LIV golf came calling for young talent. When he won their Bangkok event in just his fifth start, life seemed rosy. But all dreams wilted with a difficult hip injury. His official contract expired in 2024, and the 24-year-old was released by Sergio Garcia's Fireballs team. Cue, a strongly-worded retort to the Saudi-run league, a promise to take advantage of a full season on the Asian Tour and eventually a shot at USPGA Q-School after completing his one-year ban.
Chacarra’s first round at the DLF G&CC's Gary Player course was probably as complicated as his five-year-old professional life. Starting on the 10th, he went four over on the first five holes, thanks to a triple bogey on the par-4 13th. “On my fourth, I hit a good iron that bounced, may have hit a sprinkler head or something. It almost went by the fence, and I made a seven without any bad shots," he wondered how.
He gained three shots, but dropped again on the 18th and then came the turnaround - an eagle and four birdies on the homeward stretch meant Eugenio could come off with a bright smile, and actions that spoke louder than words.
The irony is that this event is fuelled by LIV. But no hard feelings, the man from Madrid confirmed. The only way is ahead.
On such a course, it can also go backwards.
Japan’s Kazuki Higa, meanwhile, was at 4-under with three to play. A one-hour fog delay in the morning meant 42 players were unable to finish, Bryson included, at 2-under after 16 holes with a long par putt to go on the 17th.
Marshalls and security were at high alert as laidback golf got a power surge while Dechambeau lit up the stage with trick shots, and birdies and bogeys and an eagle.
The darkness stopped his round, but the perfectionist was seen practising his shots long into the evening.
Round 1 scores:
Fans flocked to the site to watch the reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau in action before his afternoon tee time. Little Annika got a fist pump from her hero when she approached him for an autograph, Akash was searching for a vantage point from where he could see the star attraction wield his driver, the young parents busy with greetings recalling at which golf course they had met last time, the older ones busy discussing the trajectory of the shots.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
When Bryson walked uphill to the houseful opening hole of the International Series presented by DLF with Joaquin Niemann, LIV golf's No. 2, and Asian Tour Order of Merit John Catlin, it seemed the Pied Piper had come to town. And with the heavy thwack of metal, it all started.
Or did it?
A former LIV player little-known in these parts, Spain's Eugenio Chacarra, had already taken the reins after finishing his morning journey with a 4-under 68 round.
Once No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf rankings, during college life at Oklahama State, he turned pro in 2020 as LIV golf came calling for young talent. When he won their Bangkok event in just his fifth start, life seemed rosy. But all dreams wilted with a difficult hip injury. His official contract expired in 2024, and the 24-year-old was released by Sergio Garcia's Fireballs team. Cue, a strongly-worded retort to the Saudi-run league, a promise to take advantage of a full season on the Asian Tour and eventually a shot at USPGA Q-School after completing his one-year ban.
Chacarra’s first round at the DLF G&CC's Gary Player course was probably as complicated as his five-year-old professional life. Starting on the 10th, he went four over on the first five holes, thanks to a triple bogey on the par-4 13th. “On my fourth, I hit a good iron that bounced, may have hit a sprinkler head or something. It almost went by the fence, and I made a seven without any bad shots," he wondered how.
He gained three shots, but dropped again on the 18th and then came the turnaround - an eagle and four birdies on the homeward stretch meant Eugenio could come off with a bright smile, and actions that spoke louder than words.
The irony is that this event is fuelled by LIV. But no hard feelings, the man from Madrid confirmed. The only way is ahead.
On such a course, it can also go backwards.
Japan’s Kazuki Higa, meanwhile, was at 4-under with three to play. A one-hour fog delay in the morning meant 42 players were unable to finish, Bryson included, at 2-under after 16 holes with a long par putt to go on the 17th.
Marshalls and security were at high alert as laidback golf got a power surge while Dechambeau lit up the stage with trick shots, and birdies and bogeys and an eagle.
The darkness stopped his round, but the perfectionist was seen practising his shots long into the evening.
Round 1 scores:
- 68 (4-under) - Eugenio Chacarra (ESP); 70 (2-under) - Justin Quiban (PHI), Danthai Boonma (THA).
- [Unfinished: 4-under (15 holes): Kazuki Higa (Jap); 2-under (16 holes) - Bryson DeChambeau (USA), Joaquin Niemann (Chi)]
- 71 - Charlie Lindh (Swe), Carlos Ortiz (Mex), Ollie Schniederjans (USA).
- 72 - Jazz Janewattananond (Tha), M.J. Maguire (USA), Abraham Ancer (Mex), Travis Smyth (Aus), Cameron Tringale (USA), Anirban Lahiri (Ind).
- 73 - Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind), Sebastian Munoz (Col), David Boriboonsub (Tha), Kevin Yuan (Aus), Ajeetesh Sandhu (Ind).