Ex-LIV Pro Withdraws From Kenya Open To Focus On Mental Health

Eugenio Chacarra hits an iron shot during the 2025 Mauritius Open

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Former LIV golfer Eugenio Chacarra has withdrawn from the upcoming Magical Kenya Open on the DP World Tour to focus on his mental health.

The ex-Fireballs GC pro has played 27 tournaments in less than nine months to date but has missed the cut in nine of them - including in his most recent appearance at the Qatar Masters.

Otherwise, Chacarra - who played golf at Wake Forest and Oklahoma State University - has managed three top-25s since winning the Hero Indian Open last March.

Announcing that he would be taking a break from pro golf, Chacarra assured his fans that he would return "soon."

He wrote: "After a lot of reflection and many conversations with my team, I’ve made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Kenya Open.

"This hasn’t been easy to accept. Lately, the biggest challenge hasn’t been physical – it’s been mental.

"I believe in being honest about the ups and downs, and right now I need time to reset, heal, and take care of my mind so I can come back stronger, healthier, and truly ready to compete.

"It hurts to step away from competing that’s what I most love, but sometimes the strongest thing you can do is listen to yourself.

"Thank you everyone for all the love, patience, and support – it means more than you know. I’ll be back soon."

A screenshot of Eugenio Chacarra's Instagram story where he talks about withdrawing from the Kenya Open to focus on his mental health

Off the back of his college career - during which he won four times - Chacarra signed up to the inaugural season of the LIV Golf League and played for Sergio Garcia's Fireballs.

It took him only a matter of months to win for the first time as a professional, lifting the 2022 LIV Golf Bangkok title by three strokes from Patrick Reed in October.

Then, in the following year, Chacarra claimed the Asian Tour's St Andrews Bay Championship for his second professional victory.

In 2024, the Spaniard became the first notable name to depart LIV and criticize the PIF-backed circuit, saying: “I see what it’s like to win on the PGA Tour and how your life changes. How you get Major access and ranking points.

Eugenio Chacarra with the Hero Indian Open trophy after winning on the DP World Tour

"On LIV, nothing changes, there is only money. It doesn’t matter if you finish 30th or first, only money. I’m not a guy who wants more money.

"What will change my life is playing in Hawaii and qualifying for the Majors, qualifying for the Masters, the Ryder Cup.”

Chacarra returned to the DP World Tour in 2025 and quickly wrapped up full status courtesy of his success in India.

He went on to finish the season 36th in the Race To Dubai and had made a promising start to this campaign, finishing third in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and T25th in the Mauritius Open last December before a T15th at the Dubai Invitational last month.

Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time.

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