Mito Pereira retiring at 30, years after painful…
From the doorstep of immortality to out of the game in three years.
Mito Pereira retired from golf on Monday at 30 years previous, following an uninspired run with LIV Golf that noticed him close to the underside of the league’s benefit order.
Pereira was standing on the tee of the 72nd gap of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills with a one-shot lead over Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris, when he mis-hit his drive into a stream then went on to make double bogey and price himself a major title.
“Hello everyone, I’m writing these lines to share that, after a period of reflection, I have decided to bring my career as a professional golfer to an end.” Pereira wrote on a assertion launched on social media. “This was not a determination made in a single day, but one I’ve been thoughtfully contemplating for some time, ready for the fitting second to talk it.
Mito Pereira walks off the inexperienced after the ultimate of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills. AP
“After many years connected to this beautiful sport, priorities naturally evolve. Today, my main desire is to step away from constant travel, return to Chile, and focus on my personal life.”
In 2023, Pereira joined the group of PGA defectors who left for LIV Golf to secure a major payday. After a stellar first 12 months, Pereira struggled in 2024 and ’25 with just one top-10 end.
He completed 51st out of 61 golfers this season and is in the drop zone, which implies he’s primarily relegated off his staff — Torque GC.
“Golf played a fundamental role in my life. It allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, to meet incredible people, experience different cultures, and set goals — most of which I was fortunate enough to achieve-taking steps I never imagined possible,” Pereira wrote, as translated by GolfWeek. “I now start a new chapter feeling blissful, motivated, and at peace, without urgency about what the future could deliver. I merely need you to know that I’m nicely and proud of what I achieved in this sport.
Mito Pereira and his spouse Antonia. antoprida/Instagram
“I carry with me unforgettable memories: the three Korn Ferry Tour titles that earned me a place on the PGA Tour; my time on the LIV Tour, where I discovered many destinations and truly enjoyed competing as part of an incredible team, Team Torque; and the honor of representing Chile at the Pan American Games and the Olympic Games. Standing on the podium in Lima 2019 and narrowly missing an Olympic medal in Tokyo 2020 are moments that will remain forever in my memory and in my heart.”
Pereira first turned professional in 2015 and broke through with two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2021 that earned him an computerized promotion to the PGA Tour.
He was one of the more promising gamers in 2022 and appeared destined to at least turned a PGA Tour mainstay before his fateful PGA Championship collapse that helped Thomas earn his second major win.
“I thought I was nervous the first day. Then I thought I was nervous the second day. Then I thought I was nervous on the third day, but the fourth day was terrible. I mean, this morning was tough… I wish I could do it again,” Pereira said after the match, according to Golf Digest.
Pereira married to his high college sweetheart Antonia in 2021 and the couple has one son together.
“I spent many years living away from home, in another country, countless weeks in hotels and airports,” Pereira said. “Now, the time has come to pause. Chile is my place in the world, and my family is my reason for being. Golf taught me resilience, how to navigate both good and difficult moments, and how to make discipline and goals a way of life. I believe I am well prepared for what lies ahead.”
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