Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra Wins LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok
Having turned professional in June 2022, the 22-year-old claimed his first title in just his fifth LIV event
In a weather hit final day in Bangkok, it was Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra who picked up the $4 million first prize, as well as the $750,000 team prize, just four months after giving up his amateur status and signing a three-year contract with LIV Golf.
Following rounds of 65 and 63, the Spaniard led the field by five shots at 16-under-par, with a quartet of Richard Bland, Sihwan Kim, Harold Varner III and Patrick Reed chasing him down.
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Beginning at the first hole in the shotgun start, Chacarra started perfectly, with a birdie at the opening hole keeping him well in front. Back-to-back bogeys did follow though at the fourth and fifth, but a birdie at the sixth gave him a level-par front nine as he scythed down a first professional win.
However, Reed was cutting the gap to the 22-year-old and, even though birdies for Chacarra at the 11th and 14th kept him ahead, there was drama to come, as thunder and lightning in the area suspended play for an hour and a half.
Upon return, players only had a handful of holes to play and, following a par at the 16th, the title was heading Chacarra's way, as a birdie at the par 5 17th gave him a three shot advantage down the 54th hole.
Finding the green safely, the Spaniard rolled his birdie putt to near gimme range and, after tapping in, the title was his, as he secured his first professional victory in just his fifth start.
There was yet more joy for Chacarra, as his Fireballs team of Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz claimed the team prize by seven shots, with the foursome picking up $750,000 each for their efforts.
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The 4 Aces had been looking to secure their fifth consecutive team title, but for the second time they didn't even feature on the podium, as the Crushers team of Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri finished second, whilst the Cleeks team of Bland, Laurie Canter, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell finished third.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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