Mito Pereira

Mito Pereira's Early Life and Background

Born Guillermo Pereira Hinke on March 31, 1995, in Santiago, Chile, Mito Pereira's golfing journey began swinging a plastic club at a very young age. This early introduction, influenced by his father, a 7-handicap golfer, ignited a passion that would see Pereira blossom into a talented junior player. By the age of 11, Pereira secured a runner-up finish at the 2006 Optimist International Junior Golf Championship (10-11 year-old division). Two years later, in 2008, Pereira dominated the same tournament in the 12-13 age group. In 2010, Pereira competed in the prestigious Junior Open Championship in Scotland, where he narrowly missed the top spot with a second-place finish.

At 14, seeking to refine his skills further, he left his family in Chile to attend the prestigious IMG Academy in Florida.

Mito Pereira's Amateur Career

As an amateur, Pereira carved a path of impressive victories. He achieved a runner-up finish at the prestigious Optimist International Junior Golf Championship at just 11 years old. He followed this up with dominance in the same tournament two years later. Beyond international accolades, Pereira dominated his home turf. He secured multiple wins on the Chilean Professional Tour, a remarkable feat for an amateur. Notably, at 17, he won the Abierto Internacional de Las Brisas de Chicureo, defeating seasoned professionals. He played college golf at Texas Tech University, which propelled him to a career-high No. 5 ranking in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Pereira's amateur wins are decorated with additional victories like the Golden Cup and Abierto Las Brisas de Santo Domingo.

Amatuer wins

• 2008 Optimist International Junior Golf Championship

• 2013 Golden Cup, Abierto Las Brisas de Santo Domingo, Abierto Las Araucarias, Los Leones Amateur, Campeonato de Chile Match Play, Abierto Las Brisas De Chicureo

• 2014 Abierto de Marbella, Abierto de Granadilla, Abierto Las Brisas de Santo Domingo, Abierto La Posada, Campeonato Internacional de Aficionados Copa Carlos Raffo, Los Leones Amateur, Campeonato de Aficionados de Chile - Match Play

Mito Pereira's Professional Career

Pereira turned professional in the latter half of 2015. He joined the 2016 PGA Tour Latinoamérica, a developmental tour for golfers aiming for the PGA Tour. In his rookie season, he secured his first professional victory at the Roberto De Vicenzo Punta del Este Open Copa NEC. This win, along with two runner-up finishes and four top-10s in 18 starts, propelled him to the top spot in the Order of Merit, making him the youngest player ever to achieve that feat at 21 years old.

Pereira continued his ascent in the 2020-2021 Korn Ferry Tour season, a stepping stone to the PGA Tour. He secured his first Korn Ferry Tour win at the Country Club de Bogotá Championship in February 2020. This victory kept him in contention for a coveted PGA Tour card. The following year proved fruitful. Back-to-back victories at the Rex Hospital Open and the BMW Charity Pro-Am in June 2021 cemented his position. These wins secured him three Korn Ferry Tour titles and earned him an immediate promotion to the prestigious PGA Tour, a significant milestone for any golfer.

Impressive performances marked Pereira's arrival on the PGA Tour in 2022. He quickly adapted to the higher level of competition, recording four top-25 finishes, including a tie for 12th at The Players Championship, a marquee PGA Tour event. However, his most significant achievement came at the 2022 PGA Championship, one of the four major championships in golf. Pereira displayed exceptional skills throughout the tournament, holding the 54-hole lead and ultimately finishing a commendable third place. This performance also garnered him significant prize money of around $870,000.

In February 2023, Pereira decided to join the newly formed LIV Golf Invitational Series. This series, funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, offers lucrative prize money but operates outside the traditional golf ecosystem. While the reasons for his move haven't been explicitly stated, speculation suggests the financial benefits and the innovative format of the series might have played a role. Despite the switch, Pereira hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. He participated in several LIV Golf events in 2023, with a best finish of T43 at the Master's Tournament, still honoring his previous PGA Tour commitment.

Professional wins (10)

Mito Pereira's Playing Style

Mito Pereira's approach to the game goes beyond the numbers on the leaderboard. While he might not overpower opponents with distance off the tee, his accuracy is a hallmark. Pereira prioritises finding fairways, a strategy that sets the stage for his true strength - iron play. His ability to consistently hit greens in regulation gives him birdie looks and keeps him in contention. A well-rounded short game complements this accuracy. Pereira's chipping and putting are reliable, saving pars and securing birdies when needed. Beyond technical skills, Pereira possesses the mental fortitude to thrive under pressure. His composure during the 2022 PGA Championship, where he led, exemplifies this strength.

Pereira's adaptability is another key element. He adjusts his strategy effectively to conquer various courses, from tight fairways to wide-open layouts. While iron play and short game have been his calling cards, Pereira continuously evolves into a more complete golfer, improving his driving distance and course management.

Mito Pereira's Caddie

Mito Pereira's experienced caddy is Scott McGuinness, since September 2023. In 2022, Pereira's first season on the PGA Tour, he came close to winning the PGA Championship and earned a spot in the FedExCup Playoffs. Sadly, the golfer from Chile finished in a tie for third after holding a three-shot lead going into the final round.

Scott McGuinness, an Australian caddy from Manly, has worked with a long list of players, including John Mallinger, John Daly, Kyle Thompson, Matt Jones, Cam Percy, Conrad Shindler, Nick Flanagan, Chez Reavie, Jason Gore, Steve Bowditch, Billy Hurley, and John Huh.

McGuinness was caddying for Scottie Scheffler at the 2020 Northern Trust when he stumbled awkwardly while attempting to gain a better perspective on the 9th green. Following the injury, the pair continued to play together for another year. During that time, Scheffler earned top-20 results in all four majors and qualified for the Ryder Cup. However, they ended their collaboration in the latter half of 2021.

Following the separation, McGuinness was assigned to Pereira's bag. He said his most significant achievement was working on the bag with Flanagan. The Australian duo earned an automatic "battlefield promotion" to the PGA Tour in 2007 after winning three Korn Ferry Tour victories. McGuinness considers Riviera to be the best course to caddy on.

Mito Pereira's Golf Journey

Early success on the junior circuit, including runner-up finishes in prestigious tournaments, showcased his potential. However, the path wasn't smooth. Intense training led to a temporary break from golf at 14, but his passion rekindled, and he even won a professional tournament in Chile as a teenager.

Turning pro in 2015, Pereira wasted no time conquering the Latin American scene, becoming the youngest Order of Merit winner. This success propelled him to the Korn Ferry Tour, where back-to-back victories secured his PGA Tour card in 2021. He quickly adapted to the big stage, with a notable performance at The Players Championship. His defining moment came at the 2022 PGA Championship, where he held the lead and finished a remarkable third.

In a surprising move in 2023, Pereira joined the LIV Golf Series. While the reasons remain unclear, the financial aspects and innovative format might have been factors. Despite the switch, he continues to compete, showcasing his talent in LIV Golf events. At 29, Pereira's journey is far from over. With 10 professional wins and a major championship podium finish, his future holds promise. Whether he carves his path in LIV Golf or returns to traditional tours

Mito Pereira's Achievements

Some of Pereira’s achievements are:

• Runner-up finishes at prestigious junior tournaments like the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship and the Junior Open Championship.

• Secured multiple victories on the Chilean Professional Tour.

• Achieved a career-high No. 5 ranking in the World Amateur Golf Ranking in August 2015,

• Became the youngest-ever Order of Merit winner on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica in 2016.

Mito Pereira's Majors

Mito Pereira's Ventures

Mito Pereira's career in professional golf has not only provided him with a source of income but has also helped him secure endorsement deals with companies such as Generational Group, an investment bank for privately held businesses. Additionally, he has sponsorship agreements with equipment-related companies like Ping and Titleist.

Mito Pereira's Family

Mito Pereira was born into a Chilean family in Santiago, Chile, on March 31, 1995. His parents, Guillermo Pereira and Sibylle Hinke, still reside in Santiago, while Pereira now lives in Jupiter, Florida. Pereira has two siblings, Isabel and Carolina, and he maintains a strong bond with both his parents. They often support him and cheer for him while he plays. Pereira's parents have had a significant impact on his life, and they have supported him in achieving his goals.

Pereira's mother, Sibylle Hinke, is an accomplished artist of German descent. She is known for her remarkable approach to art and has received several awards for her unique creations. In some interviews, Pereira mentioned that his mother had been instrumental in his upbringing. She has been a constant source of support and inspiration for him in every situation.

Pereira's father, Guillermo Pereira, is a former soccer player from Chile. Although there is limited information about Guillermo, Mito has credited his father for playing a crucial role in his life and success as a professional golfer. Guillermo created a positive environment that motivated Pereira to thrive in golf. Pereira thanked his father for instilling discipline and a strong work ethic in him. While there is no information about Sibylle's involvement in Pereira's golf career, it is clear that his father has been pivotal in his life.

Mito Pereira's Girlfriend

Pereira is married to Antonia Prida, and she is often seen supporting and cheering for him during tournaments. The couple has been friends since high school in Chile, and they share a strong bond. Antonia always tries to support her husband by being present at his tournaments.

Antonia Prida and her husband attended the same high school, suggesting a similar age.

Antonia Prida is a talented professional photographer, illustrator, and artist who has been passionate about art since a young age. Her work mainly focuses on ethereal paintings and projects inspired by nature, and she is dedicated to expressing her artistic creativity in her drawings. As an illustrator, Antonia has worked on online services that mainly depict fruits, flowers, wild animals, and other natural things. When it comes to her photography, she also captures stunning nature-inspired photos. Apart from her love for art, Antonia enjoys travelling and exploring the world.