Eugenio Chacarra Wins India Championship, Takes Lead in Race to Dubai Rankings

Spanish golfer Eugenio Chacarra secured the Lotus Trophy at the India Championship on Sunday, recording his third victory of the 2026 season and fourth overall on the DP World Tour. Despite playing with a broken toe, Chacarra held off a strong chasing field to win the USD 4 million tournament at Delhi Golf Club by two shots.

Chacarra finished with rounds of 67, 67, 63 and 70 for a total of 21-under-par 267, one stroke short of Tommy Fleetwood’s aggregate score at the tournament in 2025. His performance included 24 birdies and one eagle against five bogeys.

The Spaniard completed a demanding 25-hole day after weather disruptions delayed the tournament. He finished the remaining seven holes of the third round in five under par, recording three birdies and a closing eagle to establish a five-shot lead before the final round began shortly afterwards.

Chacarra extended his advantage to six shots early in the final round, but New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier mounted a strong challenge on the back nine. Hillier’s late charge reduced the lead to two shots, putting the champion under pressure. However, Chacarra produced crucial recovery shots and maintained his composure to finish at 21 under, while Hillier took second place at 19 under.

Chacarra said he was proud of his short game, patience and ability to grind through difficult conditions. He admitted that the final round was physically demanding after waking up at 4 am for three consecutive days. The golfer had finished third and second in his previous two starts in France and Spain, respectively, before claiming the India Championship title.

The victory also moved Chacarra to the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings, overtaking long-time leader Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy. With one regular-season event remaining, followed by the play-off events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai next month, the standings will remain important in the race to finish the season strongly.

Chacarra previously won the Hero Indian Open in early 2025 at the nearby DLF Golf and Country Club, where he finished runner-up this year. His other victories in 2026 came at the KLM Open and the DS Automobiles 83° Open d’Italia in June.

Looking ahead, Chacarra said he was working towards securing a place in Europe’s Ryder Cup team next year through one of the six automatic qualifying spots rather than relying on a captain’s selection. He added that his goal was to continue improving and winning.

Meanwhile, global smart logistics provider DP World confirmed that its partnership with the DP World India Championship would continue until 2035. The extension aligns with its broader DP World Tour partnership, which began in 2022 when the European Tour was renamed the DP World Tour. The long-term agreement reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting golf and expanding the sport’s reach.