Three years after Mito Pereira got here one gap away from successful a significant, the 30-year-old Chilean introduced on social media on Monday that he’s retiring from skilled golf.
Pereira joined the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League in 2023 and earned simply over $11.5 million over three seasons, however this yr he completed 51st within the standings and was demoted from the league.
When requested about his plans three weeks in the past, his supervisor stated in a textual content message to The Related Press that Pereira broke his collarbone in a bicycle accident and was ready to get match to seek out his subsequent step.
“When you find yourself concerned with this lovely sport for thus a few years, your priorities naturally evolve,” Pereira stated in an Instagram put up. “Right now, my important want is to take a break from common journey, return to Chile and concentrate on my private life.”
Pereira, who performed one yr at Texas Tech, is finest recognized for coming near successful the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills. Within the closing spherical, he took a three-stroke lead, and on the 18th gap, the place he was forward by one stroke, he aggressively hit the driving force and positioned it within the creek.
He made a double bogey and ended the playoff with one stroke left, which was received by Justin Thomas. It was the primary time since Phil Mickelson on the 2006 US Open (Winged Foot) {that a} participant made double bogey and misplaced on the ultimate gap of a significant with a one-stroke lead.
Pereira, who participated within the bronze medal match on the Tokyo Olympics, performed for the worldwide crew within the 2022 Presidents Cup. He determined to hitch fellow Chilean Joaquín Niemann on the LIV crew and completed the yr in forty fourth place.
In his first yr at LIV, he completed within the high 3 twice and completed in eighth place, however the next yr he solely completed within the high 10 as soon as and completed within the high 48 by a detailed margin. His finest end in 2025 was tied for thirteenth place.
Pereira didn’t say what he would do subsequent.
“I spent years away from residence in different nations, spending weeks in motels and airports,” he wrote. “Now it is time to cease. Chile is my place on the earth and my household is the rationale for my existence. Golf has taught me resilience, learn how to overcome good instances and troublesome instances, learn how to make self-discipline and function a lifestyle. I imagine I’m nicely ready for what’s to return.”
