Just three-and-a-half months ago Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra was studying Sports Management, Finance and Psychology at Oklahoma State. Now the 22-year-old is £5million richer after defeating some of the world's best golfers last weekend.
Whilst studying in Oklahoma, Lopez-Chacarra announced himself as one of golf's top amateurs whilst representing the university at college golf level. Starring for Oklahoma, the Spaniard found himself on the cusp of a Korn Ferry Tour spot after sitting fourth in the PGA Tour University Rankings.
Whilst for many college stars a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour was the kick-start of their professional career, Lopez-Chacarra had other ideas.
His ranking as the world's second best amateur turned plenty of heads, no more so than of LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman. And in June, the Spaniard confirmed he was leaving college golf behind to begin his professional career with the Saudi-backed series.
Despite the controversies surrounding LIV, the opportunity to compete for eye-watering amounts of money was not one to turn down for the 22-year-old. Revealing how important a contract with the Saudi-backed circuit was to him and his family, he told Marca: "My position is that of a player who is not a member of the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour, and I have not earned money while I have been an amateur, so I can play in this league without problems.
"This contract gives me peace of mind and ensures the future of my family. I had already achieved everything as an amateur, and now I will be able to gain experience as a professional.”
Whilst Lopez-Chacarra was more than aware of the lucrative amounts of money at stake when making the Saudi switch, the thought of taking home one of the series' tournament jackpots would have been no more than a distant dream.
Just three events into his professional career though, the 22-year-old's dream became a reality as he saw off the likes of Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson in becoming a LIV Golf winner in Bangkok. Lopez-Chacarra carded an impressive 19-under-par across his three rounds to form a week to remember for the Spaniard.
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Along with the maiden title came a remarkable prize, as he collected a cool £3.6 million for winning the individual event as well as an added £684,000 in for winning the team title alongside Mexican duo Carlos Ortiz and Abraham Ancer, and his idol growing up - fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
His victory in Bangkok more than tops up his career winnings, having earned a whopping £5.1 million in just four LIV Golf appearances.
The figure is clear evidence if it had not proven already of the Saudi-funded series financial powers over the game, with his four-event earnings more than the likes of Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Collin Morikawa collected across the whole of the 2022 PGA Tour season.
