Out of prison, Angel Cabrera can return to Masters on 1 condition
Angel Cabrera at the 2009 Masters.
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Angel Cabrera, recently released from prison after serving more than two years for domestic violence, could play in this year’s Masters.
And, according to a report, he’ll be in the field for at least one PGA Tour Champions tournament.
Cabrera’s golf schedule has started to take shape after he was released from a prison in his home county of Argentina in early August. He had been sentenced in July 2021 for threats and harassment of his partner, a case that was joined by another former partner.
Now, the 54-year-old could be included in this year’s Masters field through his win at the 2009 event.
On Wednesday, during a press conference at the Latin America Amateur Championship in Panama, Masters chairman Fred Ridley said Cabrera would “definitely” be welcomed back to this year’s tournament, on the condition that he obtains a visa to travel. In a story written by Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, Cabrera’s manager said that process has started.
“Angel certainly is one of our great champions,” Ridley said. “As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues. Presently, we have been in constant contact with Angel’s representatives. He presently is not able to enter the United States. He doesn’t have a visa, and I know that that process is being worked through.
“We certainly wish him the best of luck with that, and we’ll definitely welcome him back if he’s able to straighten out those legal issues.”
In an article published Tuesday, Golfweek’s Schupak also reported that Cabrera is playing the Champions tour’s Trophy Hassan II event, scheduled for Feb. 22 to 24 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco. A week later, Schupak also reported, Cabrera will then enter the Argentina Open, an event on the Korn Ferry Tour, the circuit immediately below the PGA Tour.
Last month, Golf Digest’s Joel Beall reported that Cabrera had been told he had been reinstated to the PGA Tour and the 50-and-over PGA Tour Champions following a suspension.
The Champions tour’s president, Miller Brady, told Schupak that Cabrera “has the right to play.”
“He’s been gone for three years and served time in jail and had time for personal reflection,” Brady said. “It’s a bit like Jim Thorpe, who spent time in jail [for tax evasion] and was welcomed back. It’s a little different. I don’t know if he can travel in the United States because he needs a visa. I think guys forgive. I’m not sure if spouses will forgive, that’s the bigger question. But he has the right to play.”
Last month, Cabrera tied for 10th at the Abierto del Litoral (The Coast Open) in Argentina, his first tournament since being released from prison.
“He wants to play, he’s learned his lesson, he wants to get on with his life,” Cabrera’s longtime instructor, Charlie Epps, told Golfweek’s Schupak in a story published in November.
“I think he’s in a great frame of mind for what he’s been through.”
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