Indian Open: Eugenio Chacarra returns to defend title at Gurugram

GURUGRAM: You are what you eat. It’s not the Netflix documentary you are switching on to but the lifestyle changes of Hero Indian Open defending champion Eugenio Chacarra.

Ever since scripting a turnaround in his career with a triumph at DLF G&CC’s Gary Player course last year, thus earning his full card on the European Tour and leaving his bitter LIV parting behind, the Spaniard finds himself on the self-discovery channel again. The grind never stops and the wheel of transition keeps on rolling.

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“I’m trying to become more professional in every aspect of the game, not just the golf, but also the diet, what to eat on the course, how to work out, when to work out, when to stretch,” was his breathless delivery. Out went the pizza, pasta, cookies & cake, and surprisingly, the breakfast oatmeal. “We found out that it’s actually bad for me, makes my system nervous. That was a tough one because I thought I was eating healthy.”

In came scrambled eggs, a fitness specialist, new physiotherapists. “It’s only been a month and a half since I started doing this. It’s been difficult, but down the road it’s going to be great for me.”

The former Amateur World No. 2, with three pro wins in the last three years, maybe has another one in the works, and DLF is a good place to rewire after his burnout blues. “When I’m fit and healthy and I’m playing well, I feel like I’m one of the best in the world,” said the golfer born in Madrid and bred in Oklahoma. Known for his ball-striking, Chacarra is looking to tune in to past energy for present gratification at the $2.55 million DP World Tour event.

“Playing at Oklahoma State helped me get used to hard tee shots and hard layouts. I feel comfortable here at DLF, and the good vibes came back this Monday (practice),” the 26-year-old shared.

“It’s definitely not a putting contest,” he explained. “That’s what it’s been like in the last couple of events on the European Tour for me. This one is more about thinking your way out. The greens are going to get firmer, the rough is thicker. There’s going to be a fair winner.”

THE MOLINARI BROTHERS ARE IN TOWN
Francesco will be looking up to ‘statsguru’ Eduardo for tips on how to play the course. “He gives me a course guide taking in account all the data from the past few years, which I think is going to be very helpful to someone like me who doesn’t have the experience playing here,” said the 2018 British Open champion.

Francesco, 43, hopes he can prove his older brother right. “He told me that it should be a good golf course for my game.” He knows it will be a grind, but the first Italian to win a Major has been there, done that. “Like every golf tournament, there are some good stretches and some bad stretches and one of the biggest keys is to be able to go through the rough stretches without dropping too many shots,” he recalled his famous victory at Carnoustie.

Like in life, Chicco, like in life.