"It takes a lot out of you" - Golf analyst shares take on Mito Pereira's retirement from golf at 30

Mito Pereira’s decision to retire from professional golf at just 30 drew strong reactions with one golf analyst pointing out the physical and personal toll the sport can take on players.

The former LIV Golf player announced his retirement on Monday through an Instagram post sharing a letter addressed to fans in both Spanish and English. Pereira made it clear that stepping away from the game was a personal choice driven by his desire to return home and focus on life beyond golf.

"Today, my main desire is to step away from constant travel, return to Chile, and focus on my personal life,” Pereira wrote.

Soon after the announcement, Pereira’s retirement was discussed on the Fore Play podcast. A clip from the episode was shared on the show’s official X account where host Trent Ryan spoke positively about Pereira’s decision. Ryan praised Pereira for choosing family and personal well-being over continuing to chase results on tour. (0:54 onwards)

“I don't see many people give it up. Most people chase it, and they chase it and they chase it. They chase it for so long and then maybe it doesn't go so well and they end up not spending as much time with their family, and the road life kills them, and it just, it takes a lot out of you... I give a big shout-out to Mito Pereira. I think this is an honorable step.”

Pereira joined the Saudi-backed league in 2023 and competed on the circuit for three seasons. During that period he earned over $11.5 million in prize money. However he finished 51st in the individual standings this year and was relegated from the league.

In his retirement message Pereira reflected on the years spent living away from home and traveling constantly. He described Chile as his “place in the world” and emphasized that his family now comes first.

"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," he wrote.

Mito Pereira did not reveal what he plans to do next. Earlier this month his manager told The Associated Press that Pereira had suffered a broken collarbone in a bicycle accident and was waiting to recover before deciding on his future. (as per ESPN)

While his professional career has come to an early end, Mito Pereira leaves the game having made a strong impact across multiple tours and creating lasting memories during his time as a professional golfer.

---

A look back at Mito Pereira’s professional golf career

Mito Pereira leaves the sport with an accomplished professional record despite his early exit. He won 13 titles worldwide including three victories on the Korn Ferry Tour during the 2020–21 season.

That run earned him an immediate promotion to the PGA Tour, making him only the 12th player in Korn Ferry Tour history to achieve the “battlefield promotion.” In the same year Pereira also came close to an Olympic medal finishing tied for third at the Tokyo Games before missing out in a multi-player playoff.

The Chilean golfer’s most memorable moment came at the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills. Pereira held a three-shot lead entering the final round and was leading by one standing on the 18th tee. An aggressive drive found the water leading to a double bogey and a one-shot defeat with Justin Thomas eventually winning the playoff.

Mito Pereira later represented the International Team at the 2022 Presidents Cup before making the move to LIV Golf. He joined the league in 2023 and enjoyed a solid debut season, finishing eighth in the individual standings with multiple podium finishes.

However his form declined over the next two seasons. He struggled for consistent results in 2024 and 2025 recording only one top-10 finish in his final year. The downturn in form ultimately led to his relegation from LIV Golf for the 2026 season.

Edited by Sonali Verma