Golf Hall of Famer Juan ‘Chi Chi’ Rodriguez Dies at 88

Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez, the charismatic Hall of Fame golfer whose captivating antics on the greens and compelling life story endeared him to many, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88. His death was announced by Puerto Rican senator Carmelo Javier Ríos, though no cause was provided.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan paid tribute to Rodriguez, describing him as a man whose passion for charity and outreach was only excelled by his extraordinary talent with a golf club. Monahan noted that Rodriguez’s vibrant and colorful personality left an indelible mark both on and off the golf course. He extended the PGA Tour’s deepest condolences to Rodriguez’s family.

Born Juan Antonio Rodriguez in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, he was the second oldest among six siblings. The area, now part of San Juan’s dense urban landscape, was once lined with sugar cane fields where Rodriguez helped his father with the harvest as a child. Rodriguez’s early golf training involved hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick. By age 12, he could reportedly shoot a 67, working as a caddie to hone his skills.

After serving in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, Rodriguez joined the PGA Tour in 1960, and over his 21-year career, he claimed eight tour victories and participated in one Ryder Cup team. His first tour win came in 1963 at the Denver Open, followed by two more in 1964. His victories continued, culminating in his final PGA Tour win at the Tallahassee Open in 1979.

Rodriguez also thrived on the Champions Tour, securing 22 wins from 1985 to 2002. His combined career earnings soared above $7.6 million, and in 1992, his illustrious career was immortalized with his induction into the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame.

Rodriguez was celebrated not only for his golf skills but also for his showmanship. His fairway antics, including twirling his club like a sword and performing a celebratory salsa dance after successful putts, earned him the moniker “matador.” He frequently mimicked fellow players, always in what he considered good-natured fun.

In October 1998, Rodriguez experienced chest pains and was hospitalized. Initially reluctant to see a doctor, he discovered he was having a heart attack. In a 1999 interview, he recalled the frightening experience. A doctor informed him that if he had waited another ten minutes, he would have needed a heart transplant. He described the heart attack as the “widow-maker” and was thankful to have survived it.

Following his recovery, Rodriguez phased out his professional career, focusing more on community and charity work. He dedicated significant effort to the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, a Clearwater, Florida-based charity he founded in 1979.

In recent years, Rodriguez spent most of his time in Puerto Rico, where he was involved in a golf community project and hosted a talk show on a local radio station. He frequently appeared at various sporting events, maintaining his presence in the golf community.

At the 2008 Puerto Rico Open, Rodriguez arrived in a black leather coat and dark sunglasses. He refrained from playing, explaining he didn’t want to take a spot from younger golfers trying to earn a living.

Rodriguez is survived by his wife, Iwalani, with whom he shared nearly 60 years of marriage, and her daughter from a previous marriage, Donnette.

Source: Associated Press