Change of manager and influence of Niemann: what are the causes of the landing of Mito Pereira at LIV

Last year was unforgettable for Mito Pereira. It was the season in which he broke into the world’s golfing elite and the eyes of the planet were on him in this dramatic definition of the PGA Championship, the victory of which slipped away on the last hole. Either way, this performance was historic. Never had a Chilean managed to rank among the top ten in a Major nor less be third. Definitely, this event changed the course of his career and his eruption allowed him to be among the 45 best on the planet.

This meteoric rise naturally caught the attention of the LIV Golf Tour, the Saudi government-funded super league, which in September, he announced Joaquín Niemann as the big addition, in exchange for US$75 million . And precisely the Talagantino was the main promoter of his friend joining the nascent circuit.

“I would love to bring him, I’m doing my best, but in the end it’s his decision”, Joaco said in an interview with El Deportivo a few weeks ago. “I imagine him playing the LIV. It would be ideal if he made the squad, but that’s not known yet. I hope. For me, at least, it would be ideal for him to be in the team,” he insisted in that same conversation.

Indeed, many common points place the native of Pirque in the orbit of the LIV. One of them, the change of manager. A few months ago, the Spaniard Carlos Rodríguez, agent of Niemann and Sergio García, took over the career of the 27-year-old golfer. The Hispanic has his figures in the Saudi circuit and played a key role in the negotiations. He and García were decisive in attracting Latin and young personalities to this new tour. Even last November Mito participated in a charity event for El Niño, formerly number two in the world ranking. Another clear sign.

Also, the presence of Eduardo Miquel This is another of the decisive aspects. Edo was the main mentor in the career of the best Chilean golfers in history. Moreover, his fame has transcended borders, Well, before Joaco joined, he had already started working with other members of the controversial circuit, like Carlos Ortíz and Spaniard Eugenio López-Chacarra. In fact, the coach confirms the conversations to this media: “I know you are negotiating” said about his ward.

Already in September, when Niemann was made official, the name of Mito sounded very loud, who finally stayed and played in the Presidents Cup, leaving a very good image. Thus, he decided to start the 2022-23 PGA season, where his best result to date was a fourth place finish at the Shriners Children’s Open.

The Telegraph already takes it for granted. And he specifies that next week he would be presented and would not arrive alone, since he would do so accompanied by Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauele and Hideki Matsuyama , international stars for whom a large sum of money would also be paid and who would be presented in the coming days in the company of the Chilean number two. They will join other big names already present on this circuit, such as Cam Smith, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson.

An important fact that was essential in attracting Niemann, in addition to the millionaire income he received from the move, is the format. It is played by teams, with three rounds and a smaller number of tournaments, which makes athletes wear less.

“There are a lot of things behind that you don’t see and you realize that when you’re on the PGA Tour. When making the decision, economically it’s very good; I can plan a much more orderly schedule; I can better organize my training, vacation and competition times, and be part of a team …Because I’ve always liked to play as a team and at the PGA it was only individual. Winning as a team is what motivates me the most,” explained Joaco.

Of course, the big problem he faces right now is the inability to add points for the world rankings, which in itself complicates the chances of qualifying for major tournaments. Either way, it’s something they hope to resolve soon. “We already have all the criteria to have a world ranking at LIV. If they didn’t, it’s because of a pure monopoly there, political issues for which they don’t release it… But all the criteria we already have. We have the best players in the world on the Tour and if they don’t, in the end they will look bad,” added the country’s number one.

So, in less than six months, the two greatest talents this country has produced in the sport will join the millionaire and controversial LIV Golf. And the debut of the two (everything indicates that they will be teammates) will take place in Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen (Mexico), between February 24 and 26.