World Golf Hall of Famer Juan 'Chi Chi' Rodriguez died Thursday (August 8) at the age of 88, according to Carmelo Javier Ríos, a senator in Rodriguez's native Puerto Rico, though not providing a cause of death, the New York Times reports.
“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 shared on the league's website. “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.”
Rodriguez, known for his great shots and signature "sword dance" celebration, collected 30 career victories between the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions, while also working as a philanthropist, serving 600 at-risk children from low-income families with his Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation in Clearwater, Florida.
“A man never stands taller than when he stoops to help a child,” Rodriguez said in his World Golf Hall of Fame biography during his 1992 enshrinement.
Rodriguez was also rewarded with the Bob Jones Award, USGA's highest honor, in 1989 and enshrined into the World Humanitarian Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.