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Hall of Fame golfer Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez passed away on Thursday at the age of 88. His death was announced by Carmelo Javier Ríos, a senator from Rodriguez’s native Puerto Rico, although no cause of death was provided.The announcement of his death came from Carmelo Javier Ríos, a senator from Rodriguez’s native Puerto Rico, although the cause of death was not disclosed.
Born Juan Antonio Rodriguez in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, was the second oldest among six siblings. He grew up in a region once covered in sugar cane fields, assisting his father with the harvest. His introduction to golf came from hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick, and he later found employment as a caddie.
Following his service in the US Army from 1955-57, Rodriguez joined the PGA Tour in 1960. Throughout his 21-year career, he secured eight victories and participated in one Ryder Cup team. His first win was at the 1963 Denver Open, and his final triumph came at the 1979 Tallahassee Open. On the Champions Tour, he amassed 22 victories from 1985-2002, with combined career earnings surpassing $7.6 million. In 1992, he was enshrined in the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame.
Rodriguez was renowned for his entertaining antics on the fairway, such as twirling his club like a sword or performing a celebratory dance after making a birdie putt. Despite suffering a heart attack in October 1998, he recovered and continued competing for a couple of years before shifting his focus to community and charity endeavors, notably the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation.
In his later years, Rodriguez primarily resided in Puerto Rico, engaging in various projects and events. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Iwalani, and his wife’s daughter from a previous marriage, Donnette.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan expressed his condolences, saying, “Chi Chi Rodriguez’s passion for charity and outreach was surpassed only by his incredible talent with a golf club in his hand. 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.”
Born Juan Antonio Rodriguez in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, was the second oldest among six siblings. He grew up in a region once covered in sugar cane fields, assisting his father with the harvest. His introduction to golf came from hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick, and he later found employment as a caddie.
Following his service in the US Army from 1955-57, Rodriguez joined the PGA Tour in 1960. Throughout his 21-year career, he secured eight victories and participated in one Ryder Cup team. His first win was at the 1963 Denver Open, and his final triumph came at the 1979 Tallahassee Open. On the Champions Tour, he amassed 22 victories from 1985-2002, with combined career earnings surpassing $7.6 million. In 1992, he was enshrined in the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame.
Rodriguez was renowned for his entertaining antics on the fairway, such as twirling his club like a sword or performing a celebratory dance after making a birdie putt. Despite suffering a heart attack in October 1998, he recovered and continued competing for a couple of years before shifting his focus to community and charity endeavors, notably the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation.
In his later years, Rodriguez primarily resided in Puerto Rico, engaging in various projects and events. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Iwalani, and his wife’s daughter from a previous marriage, Donnette.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan expressed his condolences, saying, “Chi Chi Rodriguez’s passion for charity and outreach was surpassed only by his incredible talent with a golf club in his hand. 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.”
