Chacarra shoots 66 with broken toe, leaves Friday start undecided

Eugenio Chacarra shot a five-under 66 at the Open de España on Thursday while playing with a broken toe, then left his participation in Friday's second round undecided. The Madrid golfer said he would work with his doctor and physiotherapist before deciding whether he could continue at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Chacarra finished the opening round tied for the lead with Scotland’s Connor Syme and Grant Forrest, all three shooting five-under 66s. Sergio Garcia, Angel Ayora, Daniel Hillier and Jacob Skov Olesen were one shot behind. The tournament’s own report described visible discomfort and a limp through much of Chacarra’s round.

Two eagles help build a 66

Chacarra made two eagles, four birdies and three bogeys, with nine pars completing his card. The DP World Tour's Thursday post noted that he gained five strokes on the par fives alone and birdied his final hole to finish at five under.

The completed first-round lead gives Chacarra a strong position if he can return, but it does not settle the injury decision. Syme made six birdies and one bogey in his 66; Forrest made seven birdies and two bogeys, including three birdies over his final six holes.

Chacarra told tournament reporters that swinging was more manageable than walking. Awkward lies added pressure to the injured foot, and he said the pain worsened after he put weight on it at the 16th hole.

A decision with more than one week in mind

Golf Channel reported that Chacarra entered the week third in the Race to Dubai and with two victories already this season. His position has secured a 2027 PGA Tour card, while his world ranking, No. 55, leaves another incentive: players inside the top 50 at year-end receive Masters invitations.

The tournament matters personally, too. Chacarra is playing his national open in his hometown, where he first watched the event as a child. He told the tournament he would have skipped this week if it had been a different event.

But he also pointed to four remaining tournaments, including the season's two finals, and the ranking points still available. Friday's decision will weigh those remaining opportunities against a good opening score and a painful foot. No withdrawal had been announced in the reports following his round.