World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Chi Chi Rodriguez has died at the age of 88.
The Puerto Rican emerged from humble roots to PGA Tour stardom, winning his first of eight PGA Tour titles at the 1963 Denver Open and going on to lift two senior Majors.
He is said to have learned the game on sugar cane fields while helping his father in Puerto Rico, where he used guava tree sticks as clubs and tin cans as balls. He served in the US army from 1955-1957 before turning professional in 1960.
He also won the Texas Open and the Greater Greensboro Open, which is now known as the Wyndham Championship and takes place this week in North Carolina.
And his success continued post-50 as Rodriguez, regarded as the best Puerto Rican golfer of all time, went on to win 22 times on the PGA Tour Champions and won the money list in 1987.
His debut senior victory came at the Senior Players Championship while his biggest triumph was the 1987 Senior PGA Championship at PGA National Resort in Florida.
Rodriguez was known for his entertaining character and his 'sword dance' in celebration, his trilby cap and showmanship, while he wasn't short of a great quote or two.
“The first time I played in the Masters, I was so nervous I drank a bottle of rum before I teed off. I shot the happiest 83 of my life," he was once quoted as saying in his first of 14 Masters appearances.
He finished inside the top-10 at Augusta in 1970 and 1973, while his best Major finish was a T6 at the 1981 US Open at Merion.
He also played on the 1973 US Ryder Cup side, where the Americans defeated GB&I at Muirfield.
Rodriguez was also known for his philanthropy and charity work, having started the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation in Florida that "helps at-risk youth achieve academic, social, and economic success by keeping them engaged in their education and acquiring practical skills necessary to succeed at life."
Happy Birthday, Chi Chi Rodriguez! His dance moves, his game 💯 pic.twitter.com/CB219TddrkOctober 23, 2019
Chi Chi flare was unmatched. His 1987 @seniorpgachamp win was 1 of his 22 senior titles. pic.twitter.com/iMspmK2LdoMay 20, 2019
He received the Bob Jones Award in 1989 - the USGA’s highest honor - and was also inducted into the World Humanitarian Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 after entering the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992.
“Chi Chi Rodriguez’s passion for charity and outreach was surpassed only by his incredible talent with a golf club in his hand,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. said.
“A vibrant, colorful personality both on and off the golf course, he will be missed dearly by the PGA Tour and those whose lives he touched in his mission to give back. The PGA Tour sends its deepest condolences to the entire Rodriguez family during this difficult time.”
A gifted player, entertainer and humanitarian, World Golf Hall of Famer Juan "Chi Chi" Rodriguez of Puerto Rico died on Thursday at 88.A 30x @PGATOUR and @ChampionsTour winner, he played on the victorious 1973 @RyderCupUSA team and received the 1989 @USGA Bob Jones Award. pic.twitter.com/RzOvceTwcuAugust 9, 2024
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez, our 1987 Senior PGA Champion and a member of the victorious 1973 U.S. Ryder Cup Team.A legend of the game. Rest in peace, Chi Chi. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LkKUemY2y9August 9, 2024
Sad to hear the passing of Chi Chi Rodriguez. He was a character, showman and had a passion for giving back. RIP #golfAugust 9, 2024
