Just a few short years ago, Chilean pro Mito Pereira seemed to have one of the brightest futures in golf. He’d earned a PGA Tour promotion in impressive fashion and was one hole away from being a major champion before joining LIV Golf.
But now we know what seemed like Pereira’s breakout year ended up being his peak, as the young pro announced his surprise retirement from LIV and pro golf this week.
Here’s what you need to know.
Mite Pereira shocks with early retirement from pro golf
In his brief time in the spotlight, Pereira made a significant impact.
In 2019, he played his first major and earned a bronze medal for Chile in the Pan American Games, a feat he nearly repeated at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he finished T3 and lost in a playoff for the bronze.
But the 2020/2021 season was his real breakthrough. Playing the Korn Ferry Tour, Pereira won three times, including back-to-back events in June 2021. The winning streak earned him an instant promotion to the PGA Tour.
He earned a solo-third in his first Tour start after the promotion at the 2021 Fortinet Championship.
But the highlight of Pereira’s career, and perhaps the lowlight, came at the 2022 PGA Championship. There, the up-and-coming star built a three-shot lead heading into the final round at Quail Hollow. He struggled on Sunday, but still had a one-shot advantage standing on the 18th tee.
A double bogey followed, dropping him shot out of a playoff for the Wanamaker trophy.
In 2023, Pereira decided to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf, which at the time seemed like a big get for the league. But Pereira struggled on LIV, eventually finishing 51st in 2025 to get relegated.
Which brings us to this week. Though he’d lost his spot in LIV, Pereira is still only 30 years old, with his prime playing days seemingly still ahead of him.
Which is why it came as a surprise when on Tuesday he announced his retirement from the game.
“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,” Pereira wrote in an Instagram post.
In his lengthy announcement, Pereira also wrote, “I carry with me unforgettable memories,” listing his Korn Ferry wins, his time on the PGA Tour and LIV and appearances on the Chilean national teams.
Ultimately, Pereira explained his decision was based on two things. One, ending the endless travel required of a pro golfer and, two, spending more time with his family.
“I spent many years living away from home, in another country, countless weeks in hotels and airports. Now, the time has come to pause,” he wrote. “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.”
You can read Pereira’s full statement below.
Mito Pereira’s full retirement statement
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.
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. I now begin a new chapter feeling happy, motivated, and at peace, without urgency about what the future may bring. I simply want you to know that I am well and proud of what I accomplished in this sport.
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.
I Would like to thank Anto, my family, and all my friends, both within and beyond golf. I am also deeply grateful to my manager, coach, team, sponsors who trusted the process, and the many fans that always made me feel loved. Throughout this long journey, many people supported and contributed to my development, and I will always be thankful to them.
I spent many years living away from home, in another country, countless weeks in hotels and airports. 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.” – Mito Pereira
