'I Wish I Could Do It Again' - Mito Pereira On PGA Championship Final Hole Agony

The Chilean double bogeyed the 72nd hole to lose out on the PGA Championship at Southern Hills

Mito Pereira looks down in disappointment
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Mito Pereira says he's "sad" following his heartbreaking final hole double bogey to lose out on the PGA Championship.

The Chilean said he was "really nervous" in the final round, describing the nerves as "terrible" and also said he is usually very confident with a straight, low drive like the one he attempted on the 18th hole.

"Obviously sad to be here and not in the playoff, not make par, just straight win," he said immediately after his round. "On 18, I wasn't even thinking about the water. I just wanted to put it in play, and I guess I aimed too far right.

"I just hit in the water. It's not how I wanted to end up this week, but really good result. Played really good. Today I was really nervous. I tried to handle it a little bit but it's really tough. I thought I was going to win on 18, but it is what it is. We'll have another one.

"I thought I was nervous the first day. Then I thought I was nervous the second day. Then I thought I was nervous on the third day but the fourth day was terrible. I mean, this morning was tough. I don't know, I mean, I just played it through, and actually had a one-shot lead on 18 and that was pretty good and sad to hit it in the water. I mean, I wish I could do it again."

Pereira found himself on the 18th tee needing just a par to win his first Major but his attempt at a stinger drive sliced and found its way into the creek that dissects the fairway. After taking a drop, he then missed the green long and left with his iron shot and failed to get up-and-down for a bogey after his chip ran out long into the fringe. He missed out on the playoff between Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris by a single stroke.

The World No.100, a three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner, will make a significant climb up the world rankings and also takes home a cheque for $870,000 from the PGA Championship purse with his tied 3rd-place finish.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV