"He's one of my idols" — Chacarra relishing McIlroy showdown at Yas Links
Eugenio Chacarra. Picture: Getty Images
Eugenio Chacarra can’t wait to tee it up with boyhood idol Rory McIlroy as he looks to stretch his lead at the top of the Race to Dubai and potentially deny the Holywood star a record-equalling eighth European crown.
The Spaniard (26) will play alongside nearest rival Patrick Reed and third-ranked McIlroy in the penultimate-counting Abu Dhabi Aldar Golf Championship with a chance to stretch his advantage over the two Major champions ahead of next week’s DP World Tour Championship finale in Dubai.
The Madrid native is already assured of one of ten promotions to the PGA Tour. But a fourth win of the season at Yas Links would not only seriously compromise McIlroy’s chances of matching Colin Montgomerie’s haul of eight Harry Vardon Trophy wins, it would also represent a giant leap in his bid to make Luke Donald’s 2027 European Ryder Cup team.
“I'm excited,” Chacarra said. “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.”
McIlroy has an incredible record in Abu Dhabi, though he is still seeking his first win in the event
In 13 appearances — 10 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and three at this week’s venue — he has racked up four runner-ups and finished in the top five 11 times.
The Holywood star finished tied for third in his last two starts at Yas Links, but Chacarra insists he’s ready to go out and prove he can compete with him and the rest of a world-class field.
“Obviously Rory has won the Grand Slam,” he said. “So everything I can learn from him -- it's a round I'm going to be looking and I'm going to play my game, and I know if I play my game, I can compete against them and I'm excited for that opportunity.”
As for the danger in being sucked into a matchplay scenario with his nearest rivals, he disagreed.
“No, golf is four rounds,” he said. “So I'm just going to go enjoy, play my best. And it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
“Obviously there is a lot of points this week, a lot of points next week. Just be patient, play my game, and I know if I do that, I'll have a good chance on Sunday in Dubai.”
He added: “To be fair, I'm not really focused on the Race to Dubai No. 1. I'm focused on playing my best, getting better and winning tournaments.
“Like this week, knowing that if I win the tournament, I'm going to have a better chance of winning it. So that's my only goal.
“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.”
The top six in the European Ryder Cup rankings will qualify automatically to represent Europe at Adare Manor and that remains Chacarra’s big goal.
"It's a dream since I was little to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup,” he said. “It's probably the most special tournament in the world for a golfer and for Europeans.
"I told my team and I told Luke, I want to get one of those six automatic picks, so I don't need to depend off a captain pick. That's my primary goal."
He added: “Every time I tee off, I want to win. That's my goal. I love playing. I love competing. So that's what I'm trying to do this week.
“I'm trying to go and have a chance on Sunday on the last nine holes to win the tournament.
“The Race to Dubai, the rankings, things that I can't control, there's tremendous players behind me that want it as bad as me, so I can't control how they are going to play.
“What I can control is my game, my preparation and myself, and that's what I'm going to do to hopefully have a chance on Sunday.”
