Eugenio Chacarra is disputing any claims that golfers aren't tough.
Chacarra fired a 5-under 66 Thursday in the first round of the 2026 Spanish Open at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, finishing the day in a three-way tie for the lead ― and he did it with a broken toe.
According to the DP World Tour, the 26-year-old Spaniard fractured his toe last week while walking to get a glass of water in the middle of the night. But he's not letting that stop him from competing in his national open, at least for now.
"It doesn’t really hurt when I’m swinging," Chacarra said. "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 through today but the pain I had [over] the last 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."
Beware of the injured golfer 👀
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 8, 2026
Despite playing with a broken toe, Eugenio Chacarra finishes day one in a three-way tie for the lead.
An eagle at 7 and a birdie to finish saw him climb to the top of the leaderboard 🇪🇸#OpenEspana pic.twitter.com/bIjnf57ojH
Chacarra battled through the pain Thursday, making four birdies and a pair of eagles to offset three bogeys scattered throughout his card. But he seems to be considering withdrawal. He's in great position to make a title run in the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai. With two events remaining before the playoffs, Chacarra is third in the season-long points standings, behind only Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy.
Resting up before the home stretch of the season might prove more fruitful than contending at the Spanish Open, but the fact that it's taking place in his hometown of Madrid makes it a difficult decision.
"It's an event that I feel like every Spaniard has on our calendar," Chacarra said. "I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but obviously I need to take care of myself ... I’ll just sit down with the team and see what we decide because it was tough."
Chacarra shares the lead with a pair of Scotsmen in Grant Forrest and Connor Syme, while another Spaniard, Sergio Garcia, sits in a four-way tie for fourth. Garcia made headlines this week when he was relieved of his obligations to LIV Golf during the league's bankruptcy hearing, as his contract was terminated, freeing him up to pursue other avenues.
Spanish superstar Jon Rahm also announced via his lawyer that he will not be participating in LIV Golf moving forward, but Rahm is not competing in his home open in Madrid this week as he awaits the birth of his fourth child.
Nick Stavas is a digital producer and commerce writer for Golfweek. Follow him on X/Twitter (@nickstavas).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Eugenio Chacarra fights through broken toe to grab share of lead at 2026 Spanish Open
