‘It’s time to pause’: Why notable LIV professionals announced surprise retirements

Just a few years ago, Chilean pro Mito Pereira seemed to have one of the brightest futures in golf. He had impressively earned a PGA Tour promotion and was one hole away from becoming a major champion before joining LIV Golf.

But now we know that what seemed like Pereira’s breakout year ultimately turned out to be his pinnacle, as the young pro announced his surprise retirement from LIV and pro golf this week.

Here’s what you need to know.

Mite Pereira is shocked when she retires early as a professional golfer

In his short time in the spotlight, Pereira made a significant impact.

In 2019, he played his first major and earned a bronze medal for Chile at the Pan American Games, a feat he nearly repeated at the Tokyo Olympics, where he finished T3 and lost in a play-off for the bronze.

But the 2020/2021 season was his real breakthrough. On the Korn Ferry Tour, Pereira won three times, including back-to-back events in June 2021. The winning streak immediately earned him promotion to the PGA Tour.

He took a solo third-place finish in his first Tour start following promotion at the 2021 Fortinet Championship.

But the high point of Pereira’s career, and perhaps the low point, came at the 2022 PGA Championship, where the rising star built a three-shot lead heading into the final round at Quail Hollow. He struggled on Sunday but still had a one-shot lead on the 18th tee.

A double bogey followed, knocking him out of a playoff for the Wanamaker Trophy.

In 2023, Pereira decided to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf, which seemed like a great addition to the league at the time. But Pereira struggled at LIV, eventually finishing 51st in 2025 to be relegated.

That brings us to this week. Although he lost his place in LIV, Pereira is still only 30 years old and his best playing days still appear to be ahead of him.

That’s why it came as a surprise when he announced his retirement from the game on Tuesday.

“After many years of being associated with this wonderful sport, priorities naturally evolve. Today my main desire is to move 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 victories, his time on the PGA Tour and LIV and appearances on the Chilean national teams.

Ultimately, Pereira explained that his decision was based on two things. First, it puts an end to the endless travel that a professional golfer needs, and second, he gets to spend more time with his family.

“I have lived far from home for many years, in another country, countless weeks in hotels and airports. Now the time has come to take a break,” he wrote. “Chile is my place in the world, and my family is my reason for being. Golf has taught me resilience, how to deal with 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 pension statement

After many years of being associated with this wonderful sport, priorities naturally evolve. Nowadays my main desire is to move 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, meet amazing people, experience different cultures and set goals – most of which I was fortunate enough to achieve – and take steps I never thought possible. I now start a new chapter feeling happy, motivated and at peace, without any urgency about what the future may bring. I just want you to know that I am doing well and that I am proud of what I have achieved 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 really enjoyed being 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 at Lima 2019 and narrowly missing an Olympic medal at Tokyo 2020 are moments that will remain in my memory and in my heart forever.

I would like to thank Anto, my family and all my friends, both in and out of golf. I am also extremely grateful to my manager, coach, team, sponsors who trusted the process, and the many fans who always made me feel loved. Throughout this long journey, many people have supported and contributed to my development, and I will always be grateful to them.

I spent many years living far from home, in another country, spending countless weeks in hotels and airports. Now it’s time to take a break. Chile is my place in the world, and my family is my reason for being. Golf has taught me resilience, how to deal with 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