The moving story behind this Mexican golfing sensation

José de Jesús Rodríguez

, also known as “El Camarón” , has gone through a lot in the last couple of years. José went from crossing the Rio Grande and working as an undocumented migrant , to playing golf all over Latin America , considering retirement, and being awarded the Web.com Tour.

Now that he is at the PGA Tour , “El Camarón” remembers all the personal and work conflicts that we went through to be where he is today.

“I took me a lot of work and sacrifice , for me and my family. It wasn't easy to leave home to make a living, to leave my little children. You leave with a lump in your throat and you even wonder if you really want to leave,” says Rodríguez .

José de Jesús is 37, we have already made his debut at the PGA Tour , and this weekend he will play at the Mayakoba Golf Classics , in Playa del Carmen .

Ten years ago, Rodríguez requested a visa to play as a professional golfer in the U.S .; nevertheless, after admitting that he lived there as an undocumented migrant, he was denied the visa, which prevented him from playing in the best fields all over the world.

For the Mexican golfer , that door close during one of his best moments as a player, and he had to start from scratch to make his dreams come true: “I had a really good moment, key, but I didn't have a visa to enter the U.S . Now that I have it, I don't plan on losing it.”

In April this year, Rodríguez conquered the United Leasing & Finance Championship , which later took him to the PGA Tour.

Some time ago, José de Jesús thought about leaving gold behind and looking for another job. The personal conflicts drove him to a dark place, he had no choice. But the Latin America PGA Tour and the Web.com Tour allowed him to believe that gold was still an option to survive.

“I realized I could go on and that nothing or no one could bring me down,” says José .

Although he spent many years in the U.S. as an undocumented migrant , José de Jesús isn't used to his life there yet, with a work visa and the opportunity to support his family.

“ El Camarón" is now living the opportunity he lost a decade ago. This is only his first opportunity at the PGA Tour , where, as a kid, he once dreamed of playing. With all the issues from his past, he is living the dream and enjoying his moment.

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