GOLF – EUGENIO Chacarra insists he is taking it one week at a time as he looks to take a big step closer to winning the Race to Dubai at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.
Chacarra currently leads the way at the top of the season rankings, having replaced long-time leader Patrick Reed following his third win of the season at the DP World India Championship.
But with enhanced points available across both DP World Tour Play-Offs – and with next week’s season finale at the DP World Tour Championship to come – even a win at the Rolex Series event at Yas Links may not guarantee him the title, and he could still be overtaken by Reed, Rory McIlroy, or Casey Jarvis.
With all that in mind, the Spaniard can be forgiven for not getting ahead of himself as he strives to become just the third of his countrymen to lift the Harry Vardon Trophy after Seve Ballesteros and Jon Rahm.
Chacarra will have a good look at his two nearest rivals in round one as he plays alongside Reed and McIlroy in the final group of the day tomorrow. Reed has two wins this season to McIlroy’s one, although McIlroy’s came at the Masters, a Major which Reed himself won in 2018.
That puts Chacarra in rarified air on the first tee but the confident 26-year-old says he will not be overawed, although he will enjoy watching his “idol” McIlroy.
“I’m excited,” said Chacarra yesterday during his pre-event Press conference. “I dream of playing with the best players in the world, and I get a chance to play with Rory – first time playing with Rory. I’ve been watching him play since I was little. He’s one of my idols. So super excited for the opportunity.
“This week, knowing that if I win the tournament, I’m going to have a better chance of winning it [the Race to Dubai]. So that’s my only goal. Prepare for the course, the week, to have a chance to win on Sunday; treat it as another tournament.
“Obviously it’s a Play-Off and there’s going to be better scores and people pressing, but if I can play the way I’ve been playing all year, I like my chances on Sunday.”
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