Chacarra chases Ballesteros and Rahm successes

Detailed summary

EUGENIO Chacarra says joining Seve Ballesteros and Jon Rahm as a European number one would ‘mean the world’ as he heads into the DP World Tour Championship with the Harry Vardon…

GOLF – EUGENIO Chacarra says joining Seve Ballesteros and Jon Rahm as a European number one would ‘mean the world’ as he heads into the DP World Tour Championship with the Harry Vardon Trophy within reach.

The Spaniard holds a 533.93-point lead over Rory McIlroy at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings, and while there are nine players in the running for the season-long race, Chacarra knows victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates would secure the title, regardless of his rivals’ results.

The only three-time winner this season, Chacarra’s recent victory at the DP World India Championship saw him move to the top of the table and put him in position to join Ballesteros and Rahm – also in the running for the title – as only the third player from Spain to finish the season as DP World Tour number one.

Chacarra has had a season to remember, recording victories at the KLM Open and DS Automobiles 83° Open d’Italia in June before adding his third title in Delhi. But it is his consistency beyond those wins that has helped his rise to the top of the rankings.

To win the Race to Dubai, Chacarra will have to fend off challenges from a host of players, including McIlroy, who is seeking to match Colin Montgomerie’s tally of eight Race to Dubai titles and secure his fifth consecutive season at the top of the pile.

Although McIlroy will need to finish a minimum of fourth around the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Chacarra acknowledges that McIlroy’s record means it won’t be an easy test, but is hopeful he has learned a few lessons from playing alongside the six-time Major champion last week.

“It would mean the world to put my name where Seve’s and Jon’s is, two of the best players of all time,” said Chacarra during his pre-event Press conference yesterday.

“Just coming with a chance to be able to win it this week is something very special.

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