Juan Antonio "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez (October 23, 1935 – August 8, 2024) was a Puerto Rican professional golfer. The winner of eight PGA Tour events, he was the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Early life Rodríguez was born into a poor family in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He was one of six siblings. His father used to earn $18 a week as a laborer and cattle handler. When Rodríguez was seven years old, he helped the family by earning money as a water carrier on a sugar plantation. One day the young Juan wandered off into a golf course. When he saw that the caddies were earning more money than he was, he decided to become a caddie himself.
Rodríguez would take a branch from a guava tree and turn it into a golf club. Using a metal can as a "golf ball," he would practice what he had seen the "real" golfers do, teaching himself how to play golf. By the time he was nine years old, he was proficient at golf, and in 1947, at the age of 12, he scored a 67.
In 1954, when Rodríguez was 19, he joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War. During his breaks, he would visit whichever golf course was nearby, where he continued to perfect his game.
Rodríguez, with characteristic charisma, would often make jokes about his past hardships on the golf course, such as, "How long does John Daly drive a golf ball? When I was a kid, I didn't go that far on vacation." And, "Playing golf is not hot work. Cutting sugar cane for a dollar a day — that's hot work. Hotter than my first wristwatch."The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations, ed. Jim Apfelbaum. 2007.
Professional career
In 1960, Rodríguez turned professional. Three years later, at age 28, Rodríguez won the 1963 Denver Open, which he considered his favorite win. He won eight titles on the PGA Tour between 1963 and 1979.
At first Rodríguez used to put his hat over the hole whenever he made a birdie or eagle. After he heard that other golfers were complaining about his little act, he decided to try something new. Juan developed his signature "toreador dance," where he would make believe that the ball was a "bull" and that his putter was a "sword," and he would terminate the "bull." Even though he was not a large man, he had a special stance and swing with the driver that enabled him to hit the ball as far as the longest drivers on the tour. Rodríguez represented Puerto Rico on 12 World Cup teams.
Senior career Rodríguez became eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour in 1985 and did so for many years with great success, earning 22 tournament victories between 1986 and 1993. He was the first player on the Senior PGA Tour to win the same event in three consecutive years. He set a tour record with eight consecutive birdies en route to a win at the 1987 Silver Pages Classic. In 1991, he lost an 18-hole playoff to Jack Nicklaus in the U.S. Senior Open. Over his three decades competing on the pro circuit, he became one of the most popular players.
Personal life Rodríguez was married and had a daughter.
On one occasion, Rodríguez had a brief encounter with Mother Teresa, a moment he considered to be the greatest of his life and which inspired him to help others. Together with former professional golfer Bill Hayes and Bob James, Rodríguez established the Chi-Chi Rodríguez Youth Foundation, an afterschool program at the Glen Oaks Golf Course in Clearwater, Florida. The principal idea behind the foundation was to instill self-esteem in young people who are victims of abuse, have experienced minor brushes with the law, or have suffered any other hardships. Rodríguez also bought his mother a house and provided financial aid to his brothers and sisters.
In October 1998, Rodríguez suffered a heart attack. He underwent an angioplasty to clear a blocked artery and made a full recovery.
Rodríguez made a cameo in the movie Welcome to Mooseport (2004), in which he is seen golfing with the United States President, as portrayed by Gene Hackman.
In May 2010, Rodríguez was robbed at his house in Guayama, Puerto Rico, by three men who stole $500,000 worth of money and jewelry. Rodríguez and his wife were awakened at 1:45 in the morning by the masked men, who tied them up and proceeded to rob them.
On March 11, 2012, at the age of 76, Rodríguez participated, as an honorary player, in the Puerto Rico Open. He played 18 holes as his final official round as a professional in the PGA. There were several events honoring Rodríguez associated with the tournament, and the tribute received extensive media coverage.
Rodríguez died on August 8, 2024, at the age of 88. He is buried at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, Hawaii.
Awards and honors In 1986, Rodríguez won the Hispanic Recognition Award. In 1988, he was named Replica's Hispanic Man of the Year. In 1989, Rodríguez was voted the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. He received the 1989 Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, GCSAA's highest honor. In 1992, Rodríguez was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the first Puerto Rican so honored. In 1993, Rodríguez received the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Sports Award. Rodriguez was the 1995 Rose Parade Grand Marshal.
In popular culture A painted image of Rodriguez was used to sell golf merchandise in the 1970s. The members of the new wave band Devo saw one of these promotional images and decided that it represented the artificiality of popular culture. They used the image in their satirical manifesto (on the de-evolution of humanity) and also featured it on the artwork of their single "Be Stiff", which was released in early 1978, before they had signed to a major label. Four months later, they signed to Warner Bros. Records. For their debut album, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, they wanted to use Rodriguez's image for the album cover art, but Warner rejected it, due to not having Rodriguez's permission. As the band sought permission, they suggested that the image could be altered to not resemble Rodriguez so closely. Warner's art department slightly changed the ears, eyes, nose and other features and began album production. By the time the band secured Rodriguez's permission, it was too late to use the original one. Warner sent Rodriguez $2,500 and 50 copies of the album, but he only listened to it once, preferring music by vocalists such as Dean Martin.
In 1993, Rodriguez lent his name to the video game Chi Chi's Pro Challenge Golf, published by Virgin Games for the Sega Genesis console.Chi Chi's Pro Challenge at MobyGames
The 1995 film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar features a drag queen character named Chi-Chi Rodriguez, played by John Leguizamo. The golfer sued the producers and distributors over the use of his name, later settling out of court for undisclosed amounts.
Professional wins (37) Source:
PGA Tour wins (8) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1Sep 1, 1963Denver Open Invitational−4 (68-74-65-69=276)2 strokes Bill Eggers2Jan 27, 1964Lucky International Open−12 (72-69-65-66=272)Playoff Don January3Aug 9, 1964Western Open−16 (64-69-68-67=268)1 stroke Arnold Palmer4Apr 30, 1967Texas Open Invitational−7 (68-73-70-66=277)1 stroke Bob Charles, Bob Goalby5Oct 20, 1968Sahara Invitational−10 (70-71-69-64=274)Playoff Dale Douglass6May 1, 1972Byron Nelson Golf Classic−7 (66-68-69-70=273)Playoff Billy Casper7Apr 2, 1973Greater Greensboro Open−17 (68-66-67-66=267)1 stroke Lou Graham, Ken Still8Apr 22, 1979Tallahassee Open −19 (66-69-67-67=269)3 strokes Lindy Miller
PGA Tour playoff record (3–1) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult11964Lucky International Open Don JanuaryWon 18-hole playoff;Rodríguez: −1 (70),January: E (71)21966Cajun Classic Open Invitational Jacky CupitLost to par on second extra hole31968Sahara Invitational Dale DouglassWon with par on first extra hole41972 Byron Nelson Golf Classic Billy CasperWon with birdie on first extra hole
Other wins (4) 1963 Colombian Open 1976 Pepsi-Cola Mixed Team Championship (with Jo Ann Washam) 1979 Bahamas Open, Panama Open (tie with Butch Baird)
Senior PGA Tour wins (22) Legend Senior PGA Tour major championships (2) Other Senior PGA Tour (20) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1Jun 22, 1986Senior Tournament Players Championship−10 (69-67-70=206)*2 strokes Bruce Crampton2Aug 10, 1986Digital Seniors Classic −13 (70-67-66=203)1 stroke Gary Player3Sep 14, 1986United Virginia Bank Seniors −14 (69-67-66=202)3 strokes Don January4Feb 15, 1987General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship−6 (70-69-76-67=282)1 stroke Dale Douglass5May 10, 1987Vantage at The Dominion −13 (67-67-69=203)3 strokes Butch Baird6May 17, 1987United Hospitals Senior Golf Championship−8 (70-69-63=202)1 stroke Lee Elder7May 24, 1987Silver Pages Classic−16 (66-65-69=200)3 strokes Bruce Crampton8Jun 7, 1987Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am−15 (67-69-65=201)1 stroke Bruce Crampton9Aug 9, 1987Digital Seniors Classic (2)−18 (65-66-67=198)8 strokes Orville Moody10Aug 23, 1987GTE Northwest Classic−10 (70-68-68=206)1 stroke Butch Baird11Apr 17, 1988Doug Sanders Kingwood Celebrity Classic−8 (70-69-69=208)2 strokes Miller Barber, John Brodie12Jul 31, 1988Digital Seniors Classic (3)−14 (68-65-69=202)1 stroke Bob Charles13Sep 17, 1989Crestar Classic (2)−13 (66-69-68=203)1 stroke Jim Dent, Dick Rhyan14May 6, 1990Las Vegas Senior Classic−12 (68-67-69=204)1 stroke George Archer, Charles Coody15Jul 22, 1990Ameritech Senior Open−13 (67-70-66=203)7 strokes George Archer, Al Kelley16Aug 12, 1990Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic−11 (66-71-68=205)2 strokes Charles Coody, Jim Dent, Jim Ferree 17Mar 3, 1991GTE West Classic−8 (66-66=132)*1 stroke Bruce Crampton, Gary Player18Mar 24, 1991Vintage ARCO Invitational−10 (70-67-69=206)1 stroke Mike Hill, Don January19May 5, 1991Las Vegas Senior Classic (2)−12 (70-68-66=204)3 strokes Walt Zembriski20May 12, 1991Murata Reunion Pro-Am (2)−8 (71-70-67=208)Playoff Jim Colbert 21Nov 8, 1992Ko Olina Senior Invitational−10 (69-68-69=206)6 strokes Charles Coody22Jun 20, 1993Burnet Senior Classic−15 (69-67-65=201)2 strokes Jim Colbert, Bob Murphy *Note: Tournament shortened to 36/54 holes due to rain.
Senior PGA Tour playoff record (1–7) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11986Greater Grand Rapids Open Jim Ferree, Gene LittlerFerree won with birdie on first extra hole21989Bell Atlantic/St. Christopher's Classic Dave HillLost to par on third extra hole31989General Tire Las Vegas Classic Charles Coody, Bob CharlesCoody won with birdie on second extra hole41990NYNEX Commemorative Mike Fetchick, Jimmy Powell, Lee TrevinoTrevino won with birdie on fifth extra holePowell and Rodríguez eliminated by birdie on first hole 51991Murata Reunion Pro-Am Jim ColbertWon with par on fourth extra hole61991U.S. Senior Open Jack NicklausLost 18-hole playoff;Nicklaus: −5 (65),Rodríguez: −1 (69)71991Security Pacific Senior Classic George Archer, John BrodieBrodie won with birdie on first extra hole81993First of America Classic George Archer, Jim ColbertArcher won with par on third extra holeRodríguez eliminated by par on first hole
Other senior wins (3) 1988 Japan PGA Senior Championship, Senior Skins Game 1989 Senior Skins Game
Results in major championships Tournament196119621963196419651966196719681969Masters TournamentCUTT33CUTT21CUTT26U.S. OpenWDT40T44T42The Open ChampionshipPGA ChampionshipT44T71T15
Tournament1970197119721973197419751976197719781979Masters TournamentT10T30CUTT10T20CUTU.S. OpenT27T13T9T29T26CUT60T46T32The Open ChampionshipT28PGA ChampionshipCUTT66T24T24T39T22CUTT46
Tournament198019811982Masters TournamentT44T38U.S. OpenCUTT6CUTThe Open ChampionshipPGA ChampionshipWD
CUT = missed the half-way cut WD = withdrew "T" indicates a tie for a place
Summary