Chi Chi Rodriguez, Hall Of Fame Golfer, Dies at 88

August 9, 2024 4:41 am

Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez, a Hall of Fame golfer whose antics on the greens and inspiring life story made him among the sport’s most popular players during a long professional career, died Thursday. He was 88. Rodriguez’s death was announced by Carmelo Javier Ríos, a senator in Rodriguez’s native Puerto Rico. Rodriguez said he learned to play golf by hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick and then found work as a caddie. He He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57 and joined the PGA Tour in 1960 and won eight times during his 21-year career, playing on one Ryder Cup team.