Eugenio Chacarra storms to early lead at International Series India

Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra delivered a spectacular back-nine charge to seize the clubhouse lead on the opening day of the International Series India, presented by DLF. His four-under-par 68 placed him ahead of Filipino Justin Quiban and Thailand’s Danthai Boonma, both finishing with 70s at the DLF Golf and Country Club—one of Asia’s toughest courses.

A one-hour fog delay early in the morning forced 42 players to suspend their rounds due to darkness, including Japan’s Kazuki Higa (-4 with three to play) and Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (-3 with six to play). Among the biggest names yet to finish were Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann, both two-under with two holes remaining.

Chacarra’s Comeback Charge

Chacarra’s round was a rollercoaster, starting on the 10th hole and quickly running into trouble with a triple bogey on 13, followed by a bogey on 14. However, the 24-year-old showed his class by stringing together three consecutive birdies before the turn.

The 2023 St Andrews Bay Championship winner then caught fire on his second nine, firing a six-under-par 30 with four birdies and a brilliant eagle on his penultimate hole.

Eugenio Chacarra of Spain [Picture by Paul Lakatos]
Eugenio Chacarra of Spain [Picture by Paul Lakatos]
“It feels good to be back,” Chacarra said. “I was four over through four, but I knew I was playing well. I didn’t hit a bad shot, just got an unlucky bounce. I stayed patient, and the putts started dropping.”

Quiban and Boonma Stay in Contention

Justin Quiban kept himself in the mix thanks to an eagle on the par-four 6th, where he holed out with a gap wedge from 122 yards.

“It’s one of the hardest courses we play,” Quiban admitted. “You can’t relax here. I’m happy with anything under par.”

Justin Quiban of the Philippines [Picture by Paul Lakatos]
Justin Quiban of the Philippines [Picture by Paul Lakatos]
The Filipino kept his Asian Tour card last season after finishing 54th on the Order of Merit, a relief after a year-long struggle with his game.

Meanwhile, Danthai Boonma continued his solid form after an eighth-place finish at last week’s Smart Infinity Philippine Open. His round of four birdies and two bogeys left him satisfied heading into day two.

“I played without expectations, and that helped me stay comfortable,” said Boonma, a two-time Asian Tour winner.

Other Notable Performers

Carlos Ortiz (Mexico), Ollie Schniederjans (USA), and Charlie Lindh (Sweden) shot 71s, making them three of just six players to finish under par on a day when scoring was tough.

Ortiz was in contention early before a double bogey on 17 derailed his round, while Schniederjans birdied his final two holes to stay in touch with the leaders.

What’s Next?

With Higa, Wilkin, DeChambeau, and Niemann still on the course when play resumes, Friday’s completion of round one could shake up the leaderboard. With tough course conditions and world-class talent in the field, expect another exciting day at the International Series India.

Join the discussion