Remember when amateur stars had to decide between college and instant riches? While Luke Clanton chose the college pathway, Eugenio Chacarra took the LIV millions. But now, as the Florida State junior officially punched his PGA Tour ticket, it’s none other than the former LIV winner showing first-hand support—and perhaps a hint of what could have been. The stunning contrast couldn’t be more apparent: one young talent celebrates achieving his lifelong dream while another desperately tries to find his way back to the same destination.

In a telling Instagram comment that speaks volumes about his current mindset, Chacarra responded to the PGA Tour’s official announcement of Clanton becoming #TOURBound with “🔥👏👏” emojis. This simple gesture reflects the Spanish pro’s newly declared mission—returning to the traditional golf pathway after his three-year LIV experiment ended with unfulfilled promises and career regrets.

The diverging paths of Luke Clanton and Eugenio Chacarra show golf’s complex landscape

Luke Clanton’s journey to the PGA Tour represents a textbook success story through golf’s traditional pathway. The 21-year-old Florida State junior made history on February 28, 2025, becoming just the second player ever to earn PGA Tour membership through the University Accelerated program. “It’s time,” he declared after holing a clutch bunker shot at the Cognizant Classic to secure the final point needed for his Tour card.

Clanton’s rise has been meteoric—from making his U.S. Open debut and reaching world amateur No. 1 to achieving what no amateur had done since 1958: back-to-back top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. His T2 at the John Deere Classic featured a dramatic 25-foot birdie on the 72nd hole, showcasing the composure that’s made him golf’s next big thing.

Meanwhile, Chacarra’s contrasting path began with a similar promise—the former world No. 2 amateur left Oklahoma State early to sign with LIV in 2022, becoming the league’s youngest signee at 22. His quick success came in Bangkok in just his fifth LIV start, earning a massive $4 million payday that seemed to validate his controversial decision.

But the divergence in outcomes grows starker by the day. While Clanton prepares to chase major championships, Chacarra finds himself banned from PGA Tour events until September 2025. “When I joined LIV, they promised OWGR and majors. But it didn’t happen,” he told Flushing It Golf. Now, with $16 million banked but his dream delayed, he watches as Clanton experiences the recognition that once seemed within his own grasp.

While Chacarra’s simple emoji reaction speaks volumes about his own situation, he wasn’t the only one celebrating Clanton’s achievement—fans from across the golf world joined in to show their support for golf’s newest star.

Golf fans rally behind Luke Clanton’s PGA Tour achievement.

Fan reactions to Clanton’s achievement reflect the golf community’s enthusiasm for seeing young talent succeed through the traditional development pathway. Comments flooded the PGA Tour’s announcement post, with supporters celebrating not just Clanton’s breakthrough but what it represents for the game’s future. “Congrats Luke, hell of an accomplishment,” wrote one fan, while another declared, “This is what it’s all about 👏,” recognizing how Clanton’s journey embodies golf’s meritocratic ideals.

The family aspect of Clanton’s achievement also resonated with fans. “Great family, love to see it!” noted one commenter, referring to the viral video of Clanton’s father celebrating his son’s bunker shot at the Cognizant Classic—the moment that secured his PGA Tour card. This emotional connection highlighted how Clanton’s success story transcends golf, becoming a human interest narrative about perseverance and shared dreams.

Some fans even made bold predictions about Clanton’s future, with one commenting, “Kids going to be world #1 in the near future,” reflecting the impression his amateur dominance has made. As Clanton prepares to join the professional ranks after finishing his college season in May 2025, he’ll enter a PGA Tour landscape where former amateurs like Ludvig Åberg have quickly risen to elite status—while Chacarra continues grinding on the Asian and DP World Tours. Hoping for a chance to follow in Clanton’s footsteps, albeit years behind schedule and with a more complicated path ahead. Will more rising stars take note of these divergent paths? The comment section is all yours.