Golf Hall of Famer Juan 'Chi Chi' Rodriguez Dies at 88

The PGA Tour superstar and World Golf Hall of Famer was known for his antics on the golf course and philanthropy

PGA Tour champion and Golf Hall of Famer Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez has died at age 88.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, the PGA Tour confirmed the news. "A showman on the course, a tireless philanthropist off the course. World Golf Hall of Famer Chi Chi Rodriguez has passed away at age 88," the organizer posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“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 in a statement. “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," Monahan added.

No cause of death was provided.

Originally from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Rodriguez grew up working alongside his family on a sugar cane farm and later became a golf caddy — inspiring him to pick up a club himself.

According to the PGA and Associated Press, Rodriguez often told the story that he fashioned himself a golf club out of a guava tree stick and practiced hitting tin cans. After a stint in the U.S. army, he made his professional debut on the PGA Tour in 1960, securing his first win in 1963 at the Denver Open Invitational, per the PGA.

The AP reported that Rodriguez won the Tour eight times during his 21-year career, including two wins in 1964, another in 1967, and his final in 1979 at the Tallahassee Open. The outlet added that secured 22 total victories on the Champions Tour from 1985-2002, and earned more than $7.6 million over the course of his career.

By 1992, he had been inducted into the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame.

A major part of Rodriguez's legacy was his showmanship during games — he often would tell jokes, twirl his club as a part of his so-called "matador routine" and dance after making a birdie.

“The people come out and pay good money to see golf," he said at the time, according to the PGA. "I think they deserve something extra, and I like to give it to them."

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After he had a heart attack in 1998, Rodriguez focused his career more on philanthropy. In 1979, he founded that Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, based in Clearwater, Fla., to help children in need through golf and education.

"Why do I love kids so much? Because I was never a kid myself. I was too poor to really have a childhood,” Rodriguez once said, per AP.

In more recent years, Rodriguez spent time in Puerto Rico, making some appearances at events like the Puerto Rico Open in 2008. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

“In life, you have to have goals," he said in a 2016 interview with Golf.com. "And I have conquered most of my goals. I didn’t become the greatest golfer in the world, but I became the greatest Puerto Rican golfer of all time."

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