An idol in the same group as the rankings leader
On 3 November 2026, the DP World Tour published remarks from Eugenio Chacarra ahead of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, scheduled for 5–8 November at Yas Links. The Spaniard will play alongside Rory McIlroy for the first time in the opening round, with Patrick Reed completing the group.
Chacarra described McIlroy as a golfer he had watched since childhood. Sharing a tee time with him carries personal meaning, but this is also a consequential week in the Race to Dubai: Chacarra enters the event in first place, with Reed and McIlroy directly behind him in the season-long standings.
Compete against the best, but play his own game
Rather than framing the round as a personal contest, Chacarra sees an opportunity to observe a proven Major champion at close range. He recalled enjoying the experience of playing alongside Justin Rose and Min Woo Lee in India earlier in the season. His approach is to absorb useful lessons without abandoning his own decisions or routine.
The group will compete in stroke play, not match play. The seasonal standings depend on each player's final tournament performance, not the outcome of an informal head-to-head within one three-ball.
The lead is not a title
Chacarra has three DP World Tour victories in 2026, but the Play-Offs award increased ranking points and the Race to Dubai remains open. Winning at Yas Links would strengthen his position without necessarily settling the overall title before the season finale.
He said he used the week without tournament play to practise, work on conditioning and recover for two events in the United Arab Emirates. His immediate goal remains to prepare thoroughly and put himself in contention on Sunday.
The comments reveal a combination of admiration and competitive confidence: Chacarra wants to learn from McIlroy while trusting the game that brought him to the top of the rankings. These are public pre-tournament remarks, not an interview conducted by GOLFTWITT.
