Chi-Chi Rodríguez

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.

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.

Personal life Rodríguez was married and had a daughter.

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.

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 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.

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)

PGA Tour playoff record (3–1)

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) Note: Tournament shortened to 36/54 holes due to rain.

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (1–7)

Other senior wins (3) 1988 Japan PGA Senior Championship, Senior Skins Game 1989 Senior Skins Game

Results in major championships

CUT = missed the half-way cut WD = withdrew "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 9 (1972 U.S. Open – 1974 PGA) Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (four times)

Senior major championships

Wins (2) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 1986 Senior Tournament Players Championship −10 (69-67-70=206) 2 strokes Bruce Crampton 1987 General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship −6 (70-69-76-67=282) 1 stroke Dale Douglass

Results timeline

NYF = Tournament not yet founded CUT = missed the half-way cut WD = withdrew "T" indicates a tie for a place.

Note: Rodríguez never played in the Senior Open Championship.

Team appearances World Cup (representing Puerto Rico): 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1993 Ryder Cup (representing the United States): 1973 (winners) Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (representing Senior PGA Tour): 1992, 1993 (winners)