Golf Hall of Famer Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez died at age 88 Thursday.
The cause of his death was not revealed in the announcement by Puerto Rican Senator Carmelo Javier Ríos.
“Chi Chi Rodriguez’s passion for charity and giving back was surpassed only by her incredible skill with a golf club in her hand,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement.
“A vibrant and colorful personality, on and off the golf course, he will be greatly missed by the PGA Tour and those whose lives he touched in his mission to give back. The PGA extends its deepest condolences to the entire Rodriguez family during this difficult time.”
He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 before joining the PGA Tour in 1960. He won eight tournaments during his 21-year career, including playing on a Ryder Cup team.
The first of his eight victories came in 1963, when he won the Denver Open. He had two more the following year and continued until 1979, when he won the Tallahassee Open.
The Puerto Rican, who was known for his joie de vivre on the course, was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame in 1992.