Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez, a Hall of Fame golfer whose entertaining play on the greens and inspiring life story made him one of the most beloved players in the sport, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88.
Rodriguez’s death was announced by Carmelo Javier RÃos, a senator in Rodriguez’ native Puerto Rico. The cause of death was not disclosed.
“Chi Chi Rodriguez’s dedication to charity and community outreach was only matched by his incredible talent with a golf club,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan in a statement. “A colorful personality on and off the golf course, he will be deeply missed by the PGA Tour and all those whose lives he touched through his philanthropic efforts. Our deepest condolences go out to the Rodriguez family during this difficult time.”
Born Juan Antonio Rodriguez, he was the second oldest of six siblings in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Growing up, he helped his father with the sugar cane harvest in the region, which is now part of San Juan, the capital of the U.S. territory.
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Rodriguez learned to play golf by hitting tin cans with a stick from a guava tree and later worked as a caddie. He claimed he shot a 67 by the age of 12, according to a biography from the Chi Chi Rodriguez Management Group in Stow, Ohio.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57, joined the PGA Tour in 1960, and won eight times during his 21-year career, participating in one Ryder Cup team.
His first PGA Tour victory came in 1963 at the Denver Open, followed by two more wins the next year and culminating in the Tallahassee Open in 1979. He achieved 22 victories on the Champions Tour from 1985-2002, with total career earnings exceeding $7.6 million. Rodriguez was inducted into the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992.
Rodriguez was known for his unique on-course antics, such as twirling his club like a sword or doing a celebratory dance after making a birdie putt. He often imitated other players in a light-hearted manner.
In October 1998, Rodriguez was hospitalized after experiencing chest pains and was diagnosed with a heart attack.
After his recovery, he continued to be active in community and charity work, particularly through the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation based in Clearwater, Florida, which he co-founded in 1979.
In his later years, Rodriguez spent most of his time in Puerto Rico, where he was involved in various projects and community events, showcasing his enduring passion for the sport and giving back to the community.
He is survived by his wife Iwalani, whom he was married to for nearly 60 years, and his stepdaughter Donnette.
