Race to Dubai contender Eugenio Chacarra battled through the pain barrier with a fractured toe to hold a share of the lead after day one of the Open de España presented by Madrid.
One of 20 Spaniards in the field this week at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, the three-time DP World Tour winner sustained the injury while making a midnight trip for a glass of water while in the United States last week, but was determined to tee it up in his national open on Thursday.
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Twice a winner already this season, claiming victories at national opens in the Netherlands and Italy over back-to-back starts in the summer, he carded a five-under-par 66 featuring two eagles as he was later joined at the summit of the leaderboard by Scottish duo Connor Syme and Grant Forrest.
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Daniel Hillier, who made his first DP World Tour hole-in-one at the 17th to win a BMW iX5, is in a four-strong group one shot further back alongside Spanish pair Angel Ayora and Sergio Garcia, and Dane Jacob Skov Olesen.
A win this week, coupled with a missed cut by Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World leader Patrick Reed, could see Chacarra take the ascendancy in the pursuit of the Harry Vardon Trophy, with Rory McIlroy sandwiched between the pair and due to return to action at next week’s DP World India Championship.
Player quotes
Eugenio Chacarra: Yeah, it’s not good, not good. I suffered a lot since hole 16. It’s been tough. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, but obviously I need to take care of myself.
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Obviously, I got a good round, but just how I feel physically, it’s not great. I don’t know, it’s just hard. It’s a struggle. It doesn’t really hurt when I’m swinging. That’s the only good thing. It’s why I can still make a score, but it’s just been really tough to walk. I made it today but the pain I had in the last 12 holes walking is something that I don’t know if it’s worth it because I’ve got a lot to play for in the next couple of weeks. So, I’ll just sit down with the team and see what we decide because it was tough.
Obviously, this one is very important, that’s why I can tell you right now if it was another event, I wouldn’t have teed it up this week. I just need to see with the team, doctor and my physio and see what we can do.
